Annual Serra Salute praises Sister Casciano, Father Lager

By John Gleason 

At the Pinehurst Country Club in Littleton on the evening of Sept. 19, more than 280 family, friends and supporters gathered for the 2008 Serra Salute, which this year honored Father John Lager, O.F.M. Cap., and Sister Bernadette Casciano, M.S.C. 

The annual event honors a clergyman and/or religious sister for their work promoting vocations and benefits the Serra Trust Fund for Vocations, which fosters and promotes religious vocations through financial assistance to those in formation so that such vocations will not be discouraged due to financial hardship.

Master of ceremonies for the dinner was Father Kenneth Leone, pastor of Church of the Risen Christ in Denver.  The invocation was delivered by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Opening the evening, the archbishop praised the two honorees, getting a laugh from the audience when he spoke about the ability of both to raise money.
On a more serious note, he declared, “They have devoted their lives in work for the Church and the poor.”

The archbishop then said how appropriate that both Sister Casciano and Father Lager should be honored in the same year as there has always been a long relationship had existed between the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Capuchin Franciscan orders for years.

“It is a natural match,” he said.  “And the gift of their ministries is a gift of God helping the Church and the poor.”

The evening’s entertainment was provided by John Miller, assistant director of the archdiocese’s Liturgy Office, who performed several songs for the audience.  Miller was accompanied on the piano by Edward Larson, a seminarian at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.

Sister Casciano, originally from Scranton, Penn., entered into the community of Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—commonly called the Cabrini Sisters—on Aug. 15, 1957.  She served as a teacher in Highland and Brooklyn, N.Y., and as an elementary school principal in New York, Washington and New Jersey.  For the past 18 years, she has been administrator of Mother Cabrini Shrine.  Her recent charge has been to restoration of the Sacred Heart statue that was struck by lightning.

 One of the speakers was Jo Ann Seaman who has worked for the past two decades as director of development for Mother Cabrini Shrine. 

“I’ll say this,” Seamon told the audience.  “Sister Bernadette has been my boss for almost 20 years and I’m still there.  That should tell you what sort of person she is.” 

Seaman described Sister Casciano as an extrovert who is quick with a laugh, but who takes charge when the call arises.

“Whenever a challenge presents itself, the first thing sister does is look at ways to make it manageable,” Seaman said. “I consider her to be a great mentor and friend and am proud to be here this evening.”

Father John Lager joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, making his first vows in 1971 and was ordained in Hays, Kan., on May 18, 1979. He has served as provincial director of development, provincial secretary for missionary activity and spiritual assistant St. Elizabeth Fraternity in Denver.  From 2001 to 2007, he served as executive director of Catholic Charities Samaritan House in Denver and is currently the provincial vocations director.
Steve Spicer, co-founder for Marked Men for Christ, shared some thoughts about Father Lager.
“We first met on a retreat,” Spicer told the audience.  “Both of us were presenters and I saw that he was a person whose heart was open; he touched me and many others.  It was the beginning of a long friendship.”
Following the testimonials, Sister Casciano and Father Lager were then presented with an apostolic blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.
At the end of the dinner, Father Lager told the Denver Catholic Register that he was humbled that so many people would come together to honor him in this way.
“I’m very thankful to God for the gift he’s given me to serve him and get the opportunity to meet so many friends who support me in my ministry and to continue to do God’s ministry by encouraging vocations.”
Sister Casciano was also humbled at the outpouring of friendship during the evening.
“This is a real tribute of Church,” she said.  “An example of how we work together, move ahead and serve the Church and get vocations,” she said.  “I’m very grateful to the Serra Club for this honor.”