| following the recommendations of the Pontifical
Council for the Laity. Zimmerer was elected president by a
two-thirds vote on the eighth ballot.
Alan Zimmerer receiving a blessing after
reciting the oath of office
At the conclusion of Mass on Sunday, November 4, Zimmerer
and the Apostolate’s board of directors took the Oath of
Fidelity to the Holy Father, and Zimmerer gave his inaugural
address, in which he stressed two points: holiness and trust.
“Holiness is union with God, and for me to do this job, I’m
going to have to seek a higher union with God, and I ask each
of you, and all those we come in contact with, to do the same
thing,” Zimmerer declared. “When we are one with God, we
can really accomplish things, but when we are doing it
ourselves, we can’t,” he added. “It’s God’s work,
not our work, so we have to step out in faith and ask God to
help us come closer to Him,” he said.
On the subject of trust, Zimmerer observed, “We’re all
broken, we’re all suffering from our own insecurities and
inadequacies, but if we can begin, from this point forward,
and assume that everyone trusts us, and that we can trust each
other, we can go a long way.” He added that “God has done
His part and now we have to do our part.”
During the weekend, those attending the General Assembly
also heard reports from the Apostolate’s mission centers
around the world, including the United States, the
Philippines, Myanmar (Burma), Belgium, Russia, Mexico and
Nigeria.
| The Apostolate welcomed several new life
members who made their life commitments at the opening
Mass of the Assembly. Previous life members also renewed
their commitments during the same Mass, in solidarity
with the newest life members. The new life members
include: Jackie Baumgartner, Lance and Allyson Docken,
Mark and Nancy Fiorentino, Esperanza Arvizu, John
Kukula, Michael and Theresa Lawson, Francisco and Eva
Martinez, Joan Moran and Dr. John and Mary Timmons. |
|
The General Assembly also recognized seven members of the
Apostolate’s Catholic Corps men and women for 25 years of
service, including Rev. Father Kevin Barrett, Dennis Brower,
Tim Boudreaux, Greg Casper, Tim Croes, Tricia Hauber and
Carolyn Stegmann.
From left to right, Theresa Schmitz, Jerry
Coniker, Tricia Hauber, Carolyn Stegmann, Greg Casper,
Fr. Kevin Barrett, Timothy Boudreaux, Dennis Brower and Tim
Croes
Alan Zimmerer, a native of Gainsville, Texas, spent most of
his life in and around the Dallas area. He is the son of
Willard and the late Rosebell Zimmerer. He and his wife,
Brenda, are the parents of five children and the grandparents
of seven.
Zimmerer Family
A product of Catholic education during his young life,
Zimmerer earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kennedy
Western University. After working as a sales representative
for Snapper Lawn Equipment, he became an agent for State Farm
Insurance, where he has worked for 31 years.
While serving as head of the catechetical education program
at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Denton, Texas, Zimmerer
discovered the Apostolate for Family Consecration while
searching for materials for the parish’s adult catechetical
program. Soon he began using the Apostolate’s “Be Not
Afraid Family Hours” at St. Mark’s, and led a Lay
Evangelization Team (LET) from his home.
Apostolate co-founder Jerry Coniker invited Zimmerer to be
the national leadership coordinator in the United States.
Eventually Zimmerer would represent the Apostolate on mission
trips around the world. He was elected to the AFC Board of
Directors in 2007, and served until 2011; He is a life member
of the Apostolate.
In a letter to the presidential nominating committee,
Zimmerer said, “My heart’s desire is to see this
apostolate continue into the future working to save the
family.” He praised the Apostolate for its “unique and
balanced approach, guiding families to live their lives
authentically Catholic.”
Zimmerer expressed confidence that, despite financial and
other challenges facing the Apostolate, “God will provide,
along with our unified efforts, which will necessitate a
complete trust among ourselves and His grace.”.
Zimmerer expressed confidence that “The desire to serve
our Lord and His Church through this apostolate is strong in
the hearts of all involved.” He added that “This alone
creates a tremendous opening to move forward and fulfill the
mission the Apostolate for Family Consecration is called to
do.” |