NATIONAL COUNCIL

SERVITE SECULAR ORDER

Fr. Vidal Martinez,OSM

National Assisant

The National Council of the Secular Order is composed of five Servites: two Friars and four Secular Servites. Who are they? The National Assistant, Fr. Vidal Martínez, OSM is appointed by the Prior Provincial and Council for a term of three years, which is renewable indefinitely. The Friar Representative, Fr. Hugh Guentner, OSM, is appointed by the Prior Provincial for a term of three years. The four Secular Servites are appointed by the National Assistant for a term of three years. They are: Robert Ornberg, SOSM, St. Juliana Community, Ladysmith, Wisconsin; Roger Stollenwerk, SOSM, Salve Regina Community, Fullerton, California; Theresa Orozco, SOSM, St. Mary Source of our Joy Community, Chicago, Illinois; Deacon Jack Rhine, SOSM, Mary Queen of the Servants Community, Palm Bay, Florida. The autobiography and pictures of Fr. Hugh and the four Councilors appear in this issue of the newsletter.

The National Council meets three times each year to discuss issues and concerns of the life and welfare of the various Secular Order communities throughout the United States of America. Among the responsibilites of the National Council are the planning of the National Conference that is held every three years (2010 is the next one) as well as the planning of dates to make official canonical visitations to each of the communities of the Secular Order. It is the goal of the National Council to visit each community once during the three-year term.

The National Councilors have been assigned a region of the United States for which they are primarily responsible. It is their duty to be in regular contact with the Prior/ess or Assistant for each community in their region. What are the regions and which Councilor is responsible for which region?

Northeast (CT, NJ, PA)/Southeast (FL, AL, LA) Region: Deacon Jack Rhine, SOSM.

Midwest (OH, IL, WI, MO) Region: Theresa Orozco, SOSM

Southwest (NM, CO, AZ, UT): Robert Ornberg, SOSM

West (CA)/Northwest (OR) Region: Roger Stollenwerk, SOSM

How can you contact your Regional Councilor? Your Prior/ess or Assistant has a copy of the National Directory of the Servite Secular Order, which contains the address, telephone number and email address for each member of the National Council. You may also contact anyone of them through the National Office of the Servite Secular Order: osmsecular@aol.com.

Meet the Friar Representative

Fr. Hugh Geuntner, OSM

Fr. Hugh M. Guentner, O.S.M. was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. He is a first-generation American, born on May 8, 1941. His parents, John and Anna (Koller) Guentner, were from Austria-Hungary. He attended St. Joseph Servite High School Seminary, St. Charles, IL, and spent thirty years as a professed Servite brother, ministering in Servite high schools, seminaries, and parishes, mostly in Denver. Father Hugh received a BA from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, WI, and a M.Div. from Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, near Milwaukee. He was ordained a deacon at Holy Trinity Parish, Westminster, CO, by Archbishop Francis Stafford, September 14, 1990 and ordained a priest at Annunciata Parish in Chicago by Bishop WiIton Gregory, May 4, 1991. He has held the following positions since his ordination:

Pastor, St. Rita Parish, Portland, OR-1991 to 1994

Assistant Pastor, Assumption Parish, Denver/Welby, CO - 1994 to 1997

Administrator, Holy Trinity Parish, Westminister, CO and Our Lady of Visitation Mission, Denver, CO - 1997 - 2000.

Pastor of Assumption Parish, Denver/Welby, CO - 2000 to 2003

Sabbatical fall 2003, at Redemptorist Renewal Center, near Shrewsbury, England; winter and spring 2004 at St. Ignatius Servite Parish El Paso, TX.; June and July, 2004, a six week Ignatian Retreat, Los Altos, CA.

Fr. Hugh was assigned to St. Patrick's Parish, Minturn, Vail and Red Cliff, CO in August, 2004. He calls it a grand location and community and he looks forward to trying some snowshoeing and cross country skiing during the winter months.

Meet the Northeast/Southeast Regional Councilor

Deacon Jack Rhine, SOSM

Jack Rhine, SOSM, is a member of the Mary, Queen of Servants Community in Palm Bay, Florida. He made his promise in May, 2003 and has served a term on the council. Jack was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2002 and has served the Catholic Community of Our Lady of Grace since then. He was one of the founding members of the clerical team at the Apostleship of the Sea Seafarer's Center at Port Canaveral, Florida. Jack was born and raised in San Francisco and lived in New Hampshire for 16 years prior to coming to Palm Bay in 1994. He married Karen in 1971 and they have one daughter and three grandchildren. He served honorably in the US Navy. He has a BA in History and a MA in Education from San Francisco State University and did advanced work in education at the University of California, Berkeley. He spent his career teaching and working in the computer industry and is now retired. He has a passion for social justice and serving the people of God. Jack enjoys reading, travel, collects stamps and is interested in technology, movie palaces and theater organs.

Meet the Midwest Regional Councilor

Theresa Orozco, SOSM

I am a student at DePaul University, Chicago, IL finishing my BA in communications. On weekends, I am a catechist for the 5th Graders in the Religious Education Program of St. Henry Parish, Chicago. I am also involved with music for liturgy in different parish communities in Chicago as well as singing in the choir of my home parish.

My home parish is Assumption Church, on Illinois Street in Chicago, Besides singing in the choir, I am also a member of the Hospitality Committee and the Public Relation Committee. I am an active member of the Servite Coalition for Justice (SCJ) and I participate in the Archdiocese of Chicago Muslim-Catholic Interfaith Dialogue. I am married to Javier Orozco, SFO, PhD, and we are best friends.

Meet the Southwest Regional Councilor

Robert Ornberg, SOSM

I was born in Chicago on May 30, 1938; parents being Robert and Myrtle Ornberg. After WWII (my dad served in the Philippines), we moved to a northwest Chicago suburb. At that time I had rheumatic fever and missed 2nd grade, so I was always a year behind in age. I was baptized in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Des Plaines, IL, in June of 1947. Our family were members of the local Lutheran church, but later changed to the Methodist church in the same community. As for myself, I had no real prayer life, although I recall at times having a sporadic interest in God and His Church. I do have to credit my parents in guiding me in the rights and wrongs of this world.

In school I was an average student, trying to avoid homework and more interested in sports and what was for lunch. At about age 11, I suffered a head injury and experienced several seizures over the next few years. Medication and time helped, and ultimately healed by my mid-teens. In high school I was not able to participate in contact sports due to the head injury, but I was very fortunate to be able to excel in the shot put and discus throw. During this time, I met my wife to be, Mary Carol Blase. We dated through most of high school, and my grades improved (Mary was an honor student). We both graduated from Maine Twp. High School, Park Ridge, IL, in May of 1957.

I did complete one year of college at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN, but my father died suddenly during that year, and it became clear to me that college wasn't in the cards for me. So Mary and I were married on New Year's Eve in 1958: this year we will celebrate our 50th anniversary. My interest was in law enforcement, and I spent the next 21 years on the Des Plaines Police Dept. During that time we had five children, two boys and three girls, and we now have ten grandchildren. Looking for change, we moved to northern Wisconsin where I spent the next fifteen years with the Sawyer County Sheriff's Dept., retiring in 1997 as Jail Administrator.

1997 was truly a significant year. Following a pilgrimage with my wife (a life-long, devoted Catholic), I experienced a profound conversion for which I will always be grateful. After much study and prayer (yes, I now have a prayer life), I made my first communion in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hayward, WI, on Christmas Eve of the same year. The early Church Fathers and church history in general had, and still have, a great influence on me.

Becoming a part of the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary seemed natural and appropriate, since my conversion came through our Blessed Mother in the first place. Hopefully, as Servants of Mary, we continue to grow in our faith and spirituality as Catholic Christians, being a good example to others. Presently, I am a councilor with the St. Juliana Community in Ladysmith, WI, the coordinator for the Perpetual Adoration program at our parish, and in my second term as a SOSM National Councilor. Other interests include fishing, golf (I make an attempt), photography, and the grandkids. In a recent homily, our pastor reminded us that all we have is a gift from God: I am very fortunate.

Meet the West/Northwest Regional Councilor

Roger Stollenwerk, SOSM

I am a native of Southern California, baptized Catholic twenty days after my birth. That was the beginning of my Catholic journey of Catholic schools, All Souls in Alhambra, Sacred Heart in Lancaster, St Augustine in San Diego, and eventually the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley where I studied with the Servites, Fr. Bruce Klikunas, OSM, being Master of Students, down to earth, and inspirational. With my wishing to live the Servite charism, the choice came down to OSM, of which I had been accepted, or SOSM. Being widowed, I could make either choice. But having a still-developing family, I chose SOSM. I had learned that the SOSM relates to the community in a different way than the OSM. The SOSM could reach those people who may never have been reached, bringing Christ to the workplace for example, a place that I was most familiar.

Why the Servites? My association with the Servites dates back to the 1960s, as a parishioner of Saint Philip's Catholic Community. My ministry at the time was as an evening Religious Education teacher. Two of my children attended St. Philip's school during the day. Currently I am the Prior of the Servite Secular Salve Regina Community, also in St. Philip Benizi Catholic Community. The reason is, as stated above, "my wishing to live the Servite charism"- Mary, Community, and Service - as part of the Servite family.

So what has been my workplace? It has always been, and continues to be the financial world - marketing, investment, management, including retail and merchandising. My business card says, "Senior Business Consultant," which translates to financial advisor and business organization.

I have since remarried, again to a fully Catholic woman, a widow, interested in giving the best example to "our" children and grandchildren. It is a privilege to become a member of the Servite Secular Order National Council.

Our Lady of Belen Community

Belen, NM

The Eldest Secular Servite in the USA

For nearly 100 years, Maria Conception "Concha" Chavez Sanchez has lived her life with faith and love for her family.

She was born on Dec. 8, 1908 - on the Catholic holy day of the Feast of Immaculate Conception - hence her name. With a lifetime of memories behind her, Concha today lives in Los Lunas at the Center for Ageless Living.

"Tia Concha," as she is fondly called by some, is a lifetime member of Our Lady of Belen Community, Belen, New Mexico. Her daugther and son-in-law, Joe and Dolores García. are also members of Our Lady of Belen Secular Order Community. "Tia Concha" is the aunt of Fr. David Gallegos, OSM, Assistant of the two Secular Order communities, St. Philip Benizi Parish, Fullerton, California.

St. Juliana Community

Ladysmith, Wisconsin

Sr. Marguerite Samz, OSM

The St. Juliana Community of Ladysmith honored the Servite Seven First Fathers in their community prayer during the monthly meeting on February 13. The Order of Servants of Mary Anniversary banner provided the environmental background in the Sisters, Servants of Mary chapel.

The St. Juliana Community is currently using the book Your Sorrow Is My Sorrow by Joyce Rupp, OSM for reflection and discussion at monthly meetings. The reflection and sharing touch deeply on personal experiences.

Palm Bay, Florida

Mary, Queen of the Servants Community

Deacon Jack Rhine, SOSM

At the request of our pastor, Fr. Leo Hodges, at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Palm Bay Florida, Mary Queen of the Servants community provided a Friday night Lenten meatless soup dinner on the 14th of March for over 100 people between 4 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. at our Parish hall. Joan Borsik, Nicole McCandless and Bev Olson made over 12 gallons of soup, vegetable, bean and potato for all to enjoy. In addition, grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were made and served by our community, to all who attended.The response was so overwhelming that Tony Ferrer had to rush out and buy more cheese and bread then that which was provided by the church. Mrs. Borsik made a beautiful floral arrangement with a sign stating that the meal was prepared and served by the Secular Order of Servites- Mary, Queen of the Servants Community. On the 21st of March Debbie Horst and Helen Moss led the Rosary of Sorrows at Our Lady of Grace Parish for the parish community that attended.

Welcome to Our Servite Family!

"After completing the period of probation, . . . we ask to be received into the Secuar Order of the Servants of Mary. We wish to follow Christ as people committed to our state of life, giving witness to the Gospel in this earthly city. In this way, we wish to serve the Blessed Virgin Mary according to the ideal of life of the Servants."

(Rite of the Promise)

"Despues de la experiencia realizada . . . pedimos ser admitidos en la Orden Seglar de los Siervos de Maria. Comprometidos segun nuestra propia condicion de vida, queremos dar testimonio de los valores evangelicos en medio de la ciudad terrena; queremos seguir a Cristo y servir a la Virgen Maria segun el ideal de vida de los Siervos".

(Rito de la Promesa)

Seven Holy Founders Community, Affton, MO

January 6, 2008

Betty Cloughley

Marian Reitz

Ed Schmitt

Kathy Schmitt

Wally Schultz

Our Lady of Sorrows Community, Lady Lake, FL

February 8, 2008

Barbara Gorry

John E. Gorry

Barbara A. Lazzari

Diane Rambo

Salve Regina Community, Fullerton, CA

Feast of Seven Holy Founders

February 17, 2008

Kerri Dillon

Teresa Enriquez

George Krajacic

Susan Richard

Yvonne Rominger

Comunidad Nuestra Senora de los Dolores

Fullerton, CA

Fiesta de los Siete Santos Fundadores

17 de febrero de 2008

Patricia Alfaro

Jose Manuel Chavez

Maribel Chavez

Marisela Flores

Silvia Garcia

Yazmin Garcia

Maria Gomez

Jose Gomez

Maria Guevara

Eva Ledezma

Edela Luna

Laura Nieto

Maria Noria

Bertha Raygoza

Maria Luisa Rojas

Our Lady of Sorrows Community, Chicago, IL

Feast of Seven Holy Founders

February 17, 2008

Marjorie Cobbs

Gregory Michalek

Wayne Morris

Deborah Turner

St. Mary Source of Our Joy Community, Chicago, IL

February 25, 2008

Nancy DeBiasi

St. Juliana Community, Ladysmith, WI

April 9, 2008

Kathy Mai

Mary Morgan

Coming Servite Feasts

May 4 - St. Peregrine

May 11 - Bl. Benincasa of Montepulciano

May 12 - Bl. Francis of Siena

May 30 - Bl. James Philip Bertoni

June 19 - St. Juliana Falconieri, Patroness of the Secular Order

June 27 - Bl. Thomas of Orvieto

July 1 - Bl. Ferdinand Maria Baccilieri, SOSM

July 4 - Bl. Ubald of Borgo Sansepolcro

July 13 - St. Clelia Barbieri