Fr. John Putzer, a recently-ordained priest of the Diocese of Madison, was the speaker for our August 26^th lunch-meeting. He told his vocation story, shared some reflections about his life since ordination, and recounted his recent visit to Spain for World Youth Day.

Fr. John comes from a devout Catholic family, growing up near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He came to the University of Wisconsin – Madison to study chemical engineering, and became very involved at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center. After two years of studying engineering, he discerned a call to the priesthood and transferred to Seton Hall University in New Jersey where he attended college seminary. After graduating, he went to Belgium to complete his major seminary studies at the American College at Louvain. Fr. John was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Madison on December 10^th, 2010. He is currently Parochial Vicar at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary parish in Sun Prairie.

Fr. John has attended two previous World Youth Days – Köln, Germany in 2005 and Sydney, Australia in 2008 – and just returned from this year’s World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain a few days ago. He shared with the club his latest experience, which included a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, and an opportunity to concelebrate Mass with Pope Benedict, together with 14,000 other priests and 800 bishops.

An audio recording of Fr. Putzer’s presentation, captured by Jim DeSchepper, is available below:

Download

A very warm welcome to our new officers!

Vincent Brewer, a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison, took time to tell the Serra Club about his vocation story. Vince is beginning his third year of theological studies at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. For the summer, he is working at St. Maria Goretti parish in Madison.

Vince’s is a secondary vocation – before deciding to pursue the priesthood, he had worked in the Navy, in radio, sales, and information technology. Throughout his life, even when he fell away from the faith for a time, Vince says he kept thinking of the priesthood. After he finally decided to become a priest, Vince was accepted to the Paulist Fathers but he ultimately chose to study for the Diocesan priesthood.

Vince is also an avid motorcyclist!

A video recording, captured by club member David Stiennon, is available below:

[download]

Fr. Johnson Nellissery, a joyful Schoenstatt priest, spoke to the Serra Club on May 27 about his vocation and the Schoenstatt Movement, which was founded in German in 1914. It is a movement for priests, Sisters, and lay people.

Father Nellissery is in charge of the Schoenstatt Movement in Madison and helps with days of recollection, seminars, and other activities. He came to the United States one year ago in June. He currently lives in Waukesha and commutes to Madison. He also does mission appeals throughout the country. A native of India, Father Nellissery noted that Christians make up less than three percent of the population. Christianity began in India with St. Thomas in 52 AD. He actually came to Father Nellissery’s diocese and built seven churches there. Father Nellissery was born in a Catholic family. “I wanted to become a priest, but I wanted to be a kind of missionary, not a diocesan priest. I love Jesus, I love my neighbor, and I wanted to tell people that God says, ‘I have chosen you.’”

He entered the diocesan seminary in 1984 and then decided to study to become a Schoenstatt Father after meeting a Schoenstatt priest. He was ordained in 1997. He has served in India, Nigeria, South America, and now the United States. He speaks six languages. He was one of the first Schoenstatt priests from India, but there are now 55 priests and 130 seminarians there. “Our Schoenstatt family is united with you in praying for vocations,” he told the Serrans.

We need to keep encouraging our members to continue to invite and inform prospective members of our mission, and to challenge our members to step forward and accept their responsibilities as members of Serra.

I can see that you are making a sincere effort to focus on our mission as Serrans. Keep it up.

I had a chance to look at your website and I was impressed.

Thanks Dave for stopping by, and for the encouraging words!

David Johannes, a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison, took time to speak to the Serra Club about his friendship with Bishop William H. Bullock, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Madison, who passed away peacefully on April 3^rd. Mr. Johannes shared stories about Bishop Bullock’s life, as well as a few personal experiences with the Bishop.

The Serra Club looks forward to David Johannes’ ordination to the transitional diaconate on May 27^th!

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.

Bishop William H. Bullock died 4/3/2011

Photo of the Serra Club with seminarian David Johannes. From left to right: Jane Krzos, Adrian Stransky,
Mary Wackwitz, Mary Uhler, Lorie Ballweg, David Johannes, Diane Hottenstein, Syte Reitz, and Tom Reitz.

Scott Hackl, director of development at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center, spoke to the Serra club on March 11th about the Lumen Institute of Integrated Studies being started by St. Paul’s and Edgewood College. Beginning in the fall, the institute will offer courses that integrate the Catholic viewpoint on justice, reason, and morality into the topics of humanities and social science. More information about the program, instructors, courses, and registration is available at St. Paul’s website.

Mr. Hackl also spoke briefly about the new building project at St. Paul’s. He explained the layout of the proposed building, the need for a new student center, and the process of getting approval for the project, as well as addressing some common objections. More information about the new building is available at St. Paul’s website.

Update (3/21/2011):
St. Paul’s has issued a press release indicating that the proposed plans may be revised to make the building shorter (forgoing student housing).

Fr. Nate Wills was the guest speaker for our lunch-meeting on Friday, February 11th. Fr. Nate is a Holy Cross priest from Notre Dame, IN, and is studying for his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and helping out at the Cathedral Parish.

In his presentation, Father talked about the Congregation of Holy Cross.

John Huebscher was the guest speaker for our lunch-meeting on Friday, January 14th. Mr. Huebscher is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of Wisconsin’s Bishops. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a B.S. in Education, with an emphasis in history and political science in 1972, and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration in 1979.  He also holds a certificate in Religious Studies from Edgewood College in Madison.

Mr. Huebscher’s presentation focused on the issues the Wisconsin legislature will be facing in the next year, and how the Republican-controlled Governorship, Assembly, and Senate will affect the state budget.