PRESIDENT's CORNER

February 2008

Happy New Year to the Men of our Parish and a very special blessing to their lovely supporting families!!!   Each year with the flip of our calendar, we reconfirm our commitments to accomplishing our most sacred goals and chasing our most coveted dreams.  Many of us look to the future and imagine what it would be like if we could only…     While the lucky few look to the “Here and Now” and remark, “today I accomplished one of my personnel goals!” or “how wonderful it is to finally realize this lifelong dream!”  These are the people who do “TODAY” what most put off for tomorrow.  These dynamic individuals are commonly referred to as “Volunteers”!!!

Volunteers come in all sizes and shapes:  short & tall, small & large, men & women, and young & old.  Despite their outward differences each shares one very special similarity:  their willingness to get involved and give freely of their most coveted possessions…”TIME”.  I would like to highlight several men who have gone above and beyond the call of duty with their volunteer service.  Thankful are we who have reaped the rewards of their giving Spirit, outstanding service, and dynamic leadership.  I would like to introduce those who need little introduction:  Doug Heile, David Suchanick, Kevin Cox, Jim O’Dowd, Michael Lynch, Tom Connor, Matthew Weishaar, & Paul Stacey.

Doug Heile joined the Men’s Club a little over 5 years ago and he jumped in neck deep!  Since 2007 Doug has served as the Chairman for Oktoberfest and this year he also assumes the role of Chairman for the Lion’s Pride Golf Tournament.  Both of these events are extremely time consuming and none more so than the Lion’s Pride Golf Tournament.  Doug knows how to organize and run spectacular parish events and his leadership skills are equaled only by his strong work ethic.  Doug is a true picture of a giving spirit who asks for nothing in return.  It is extremely easy to see why Doug is our October '07 volunteer of the month!

David Suchanic’s, a past VP & President, service to the Men’s Club, as well as to the parish as a whole, is well known and appreciated by all.  One of his most recent undertakings has an enormous impact upon the parish’s men and I feel privileged to recognize David for his efforts in establishing and coordinating the Parish’s “Men’s Retreat” events.  These spiritual retreats are conducted by our very own Fr. Mark and focus on strengthening our personnel relationship with Christ.  Extremely important is a secondary retreat benefit:  the empowerment of men to regain their Spiritual Figurehead status within our Church and family unit.  David was at the very heart of our past events and continues to spearhead improvements to an already exciting and fulfilling weekend!  Please join me in thanking David for taking his valuable time to ensure the Men of our parish continue to have exciting ways to further our relationships with Christ!

Kevin Cox is the Men’s Club treasure and Chairman for Breakfast with Santa.  Kevin is another man who knows no bounds on his volunteer service and is a “Super Star” with all the parish children!  Kevin takes the single most magical time of year and turns it into reality.  Kevin’s event spans the spectrum from feeding our children to having their picture taken with Santa.  This event is always filled with excitement, smiles, laughs, and unbridled anticipation only youth brings.  Kevin’s partner in making the Breakfast with Santa such a smashing hit is no other than our very own Jim O’Dowd (Santa is always accompanied by his lovely Elf -- Sandra O’Dowd).  Their service to our children is very much appreciated and truly transactions this event into a valued Parish Tradition.  I can think of no better way to start our Christmas Seasons and that is why Kevin Cox and Jim O’Dowd are our December '07 volunteers of the month!

Michael Lynch currently serves as the Men’s Club Vice-President, Parish Counsel Representative, and the Chairman for the Men’s Club Christmas Party.  Michael planned, coordinated, and executed a standard setting Party and a most unforgettable evening filled with many lifelong friends!!!  Michael’s dedicated service to our organization and parish was not years in the making.  To the contrary, he joined the Men’s Club a little over two years ago and has volunteered his time and talents wherever the need arose.  Michael is a dynamic leader with a very charismatic personality!  He is the first to help with all the Men’s Club events and often times the last to leave.  Fortunately for us, the Men’s club has the pleasure of his leadership roles for another 18 months as Michael assumes the role of President in July 2008.  Every Men’s Club member knows we are in the best of hands as we receive the benefits of his vision and passion towards Christian stewardship and fellowship!

Tom Connor is another dynamic leader who currently serves as the Men’s Club Secretary and will continue serving through June 2009.  With his superior organizational abilities, time management techniques, and passion for service it is easy to see why he makes the perfect Men’s club volunteer.  I have come to know Tom as a man of quick action, passionate heart, and a giving spirit.  Leadership service on any Parish committee requires a solid time commitment and a true belief in that committee’s mission:  both of which Tom shows on a daily basis!  Those who know Tom understands he is a man of quiet calmness with a deep seated belief that each of us makes a difference if we give freely of ourselves for the service of others.  Our hats go off to this thoughtful Christian man and we are blessed to receive the many contributions Tom offers us in the “Here and Now”!

Matthew Weishaar is another member of our organization who is known throughout the parish.  He has served for two years as the Men’s Club treasure, currently serves on the Athletic Booster Club, and is the Chairman for the Parish Fish Fries.  I find it wonderfully refreshing to see Matthew take the reigns on such a time consuming project that serves so many of our parishioners.  Matthew make the Fish Fries look as easy as 1-2-3 because he is a man of impeccable organizational skills coupled with strong leadership abilities.  To know Matthew is to love him and we truly have a “Super Star” performer whose volunteer service to our parish is second to none!

Paul Stacey serves as the Men’s Club Chairman for our Easter Egg Hunt and has been so since before I can remember!  He freely gives his time and talents ensuring our children have the “time of their lives” gathering up eggs left by the Easter Bunny.  Paul always says it is no big deal when thanked for his volunteer service; however, his service to our parish and children is very much a “Big Deal”.  Paul has served the Men’s Club with distinction, for many years, as one of our past VPs & Presidents.  Paul’s caring spirit ensures he always leaves things better than he found them!  Paul has a true volunteer’s heart and always serves where he is needed!

As you may have come to realize, none of these outstanding volunteers are “Superman”.  Each in their own way realized a parish need and volunteered their time without hesitation.  No they are not comic book heroes, but for many of us they are real life “super men” who make a difference in other’s lives daily!  May I ask each of you to prayerfully consider how you may be of increased service to the Men’s Club and or other parish Committees who serve the needs of others?  Make 2008 a year to remember and fulfill “TODAY”, your dreams and goals of yesterday!!!   

Warm Regards in Christ