Welcome to Team Ferior

Friends,

I was truly blessed today at work in Ocean City. Sister Barbara Ranere formerly of St Joseph's Grammar and High School in Hammonton, New Jersey is with friends in town, did not realize I work in Ocean City and it was wonderful running into her. She is retired and now working at St Joseph's by the Sea Retreat House. Which is located in the Central Jersey Shore area. Although she did tell me that former Bishop Eustace Principal Father Angelo V. Palermo is extremely ill and near death. Father Angelo will always have a special place in my heart. He gave me more than one break. Friends from High School let us pray for him as we bring in the New Year. The Retreat House's website is www.sjbsea.org. I will be heading up to the Retreat House in January. Jason Prugar, has volunteered to help us with his video skills and we will be doing a one or two minute video every month hopefully. Sister Barbara will be the subject of one of our first productions. Thank you Jason!

As we bring in the New Year, I want to thank everyone for their support and friendship. We still have some unfinished business left from 2008. We should be up to date in the next 14 days. Shortly, a system will be in place for us to really do some damage in helping the less blessed. For those closest to me, all I can say is Happy New Year and Thank you! God Bless! John V

Christmas Eve in Camden.

For those familiar with my work, I consider Christmas Eve to be the most important night to get out and share with the less blessed. This past Christmas Eve was not different. Kim and I journeyed to the Rescue Mission in Camden, NJ. Rev. Al and his wife Mercedes do an incredible job fighting the fight in one of the worst neighborhoods in this country.
We dropped off T-shirts from TF and what a few friends for athletic departments sent us, plus food from Ocean City vendors. Special thanks to Mike DiPalma, our friends in Illinois and the food vendors who make a lot of my work possible. To those who help me in the most private way, Thank You!
Within the next few weeks, Robbie Mac, John Walls and myself are going to meet with Rev. Al. I plan on going to the Rescue Mission monthly. I need help. But if this request goes on deaf ears, make no mistake about it, I will go it alone.
I want to take this moment to thank those friends who gave me support with my health issues.
We have a lot of exciting projects lined up for 2009. I ask for everyone's prayers. Happy New Year and God Bless! John V

Fighting Illini Division 2 Hockey Joins the Fight!

Team Ferior Founder John Vrana is pleased to announce a partnership agreement with the University of Illinois Division 2 Ice Hockey Club. This agreement will include The Division 2 Club being the first college team to use "FeriorWear" jerseys, a used hockey equipment drive for our friends in Newark, New Jersey and a food drive at Christmas for the less blessed in Chicago.
"I am pleased and excited to join forces with Pat Boyle and the hard hitting Division 2 Club Team at the University of Illinois. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Pat over the last few months, It is an honor that He and his teammates will be wearing The "TF" emblem on their jerseys." Vrana said. "This agreement is not a victory for Team Ferior and the Division 2 Club, it is a victory for children and teens we help get on the ice." Vrana added. Look for all Illini Division 2 results on TeamFeriorSports.com.

Illinois Head Football Coach Ron Zook and his lovely wife, Denise, spend a few moments with Pat Boyle and a few members of the University if Illinois Division 2 Ice Hockey Club.

Hello Everyone,

The New Jersey Devils will be playing the Washington Capitals on Monday, September 29, 2008 at The Prudential Center. Each ticket is $10 and for every ticket that is bought $2 will be donated to the Hockey in Newark program.

All you have to do is click on the link below.
https://www.njdevilsticketprograms.com/index.php?code=yhn092908

Important: When filling out the order form there is a section on there for Team Name. In that blank space please put HOCKEY IN NEWARK, this way the New Jersey Devils know who to give the donation to. (Below is an example)

Thank you for your support

Sincerely,

Keith Veltre
www.hockeyinnewark.com

Bcknell Basketball Coach Flannery
Announces Retirement.
Bucknell University President Brian C. Mitchell announced this morning that Bison men's basketball head coach Pat Flannery has decided that effective July 1, 2008, he will retire as coach and will assume a new fundraising position within the University's Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Flannery, a graduate of Bucknell, has been the most successful coach in Patriot League history.
Coaches like Pat Flannery come around only once in a while. His love for the sport and his players will never be matched. I pray that he has a long and enjoyable retirement. I wrote the field hockey coach at Bucknell today and told her we can thank The Almighty for Pat Flannery. I think that says it all!
JV

Prayer Request!
John Nicholas Vrana Passes On.

At 7:01am yesterday, March 6, 2008. John Nicholas Vrana, 88 years old of Pittsburgh, PA , left this earth for his next assignment. Mr. Vrana was survived by his three sons, John Jr, Julius, Michael and granddaughters Emily and Morgan. A devout Catholic and dedicated family man, Mr Vrana gave all he had to his family. His oldest son, John and I often discuss that there is no apprenticeship or book by Hockey Bob or Ozzie Nelson on how to be the perfect parent. Not until we became parents ourselves that will realize how difficult it is to teach oneself to be a good parent. That no matter how they acted towards us, they, out of love, did the best they could. Mr Vrana will be remembered for having complete love for his three sons. There is never a book written nor a movie made about these great family men. Every town has them, thank God! Please remember John Nicholas Vrana and his family in your prayers! JV

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Friends, It has been a busy week for prayer requests. Please remember our friends in need in your daily prayer. Thanks! John V

Robbie Mac at the Phillies informed me that Coach Davey Lopes has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The medical staff believes it was detected early and Mr Lopes has a very good chance at complete recovery.
The Vrana clan in Pittsburgh informed me today the John Nicholas Vrana, 88 years old, has been admitted to the hospital with lung problems. He has lived a long life and has been a dedicated father and grandfather to his family. His chances of recovery are slim.
My older sister, Anne Marie, has taken a turn for the worse.
I have not heard anything about 11 year old Harris Armstrong. He fighting a courageous battle against terminal cancer. The response to our prayer request for this young man has been incredible! This speaks volumes about the great people who I have been blessed with in my life! Thank you all!

Friends,
I received an email today from RC Bucky Waters about an 11 year old cancer patient named Harris Armstrong. The young man is fighting a courageous battle. He is in very bad shape. Here is what Coach Waters sent me on young Harris.
"We were able to bring him to Duke Cancer Center and to be honest no one has ever beaten what he has anywhere; not just at Duke. His tumor is an Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Pray hard for Harris and count your own blessings, pray strong."
So tomorrow morning at 10:00am Eastern Time, Let's us together pray for Harris Armstrong and his family. RC will be keeping me informed and I will pass it along. I will quote a phrase that I learned from the Great Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. "Miracles can and Miracles do happen!" God Bless you all! Prayers! John V

The Next Generation.
It seems like a million years ago when I addressed a young group of High School Senior Hockey Players. I did not give them a great speech on their accomplishments, I asked them for their help. I told them to go out, get educated and come back because I needed their help. For they are the next generation of parents and coaches that will set the tone for the following generation. I believed those words four years ago and I believe in them even more today.

Anyone can debate what is a victory or what is a loss, my belief is that participation is the greatest victory and that keeping a young child or teen off the streets and in school, is the true test of winning The future is not based on who is going to win the Presidency on the First Tuesday in November, it is based on what we, as the caretakers of the next generation, do to prepare these future parents and teachers.

The Late Great Anne C Vrana always stressed to be about there is a huge difference between words and actions. As we prepare for a new era in youth athletics. An era of friendship and cooperation, where money will never be a reason that a child or teen can not play a sport. We will be remembered for our actions, not our words. JV

Congratulation Robbie Mueller!

I am pleased to announce that Robbie Mueller, one of the fine young college students I met over the last few years through the Campus Crusade for Christ, has been accepted to the University of Minnesota Pharmacy School beginning next fall. I met Young Robert almost 3 summers ago in Ocean City, NJ and we have kept in close contact. He and I worked together and shared many life experiences. We try to attend Mass atleast once a year together. It is an honor to be blessed with such a fine young man in my life. Once we gain charity status, I am going to propose to the Trustees that we help him in some way. I pray for his success and I will be heading to Minnesota in alittle over four years to attend his graduation, God Willing. I look forward to the day when Robbie will fill one of my prescriptions! Congrads my good friend Robbie and I know you will continue to pass The Word of God through your new vocation! He will also be joining our prayer network and inviting members of The Campus Crusade to join us in prayer. JV

Prayer Requests

Friends, One of the things I am most proud of is Our Prayer Network. We have certainly made more than a few people feel comfortable in their time of need. The work of our Chaplain, Father Gerry Bourke, is something truly special. With my ability to travel again, Thank God, and my work schedule taking shape. I am going to send out one weekly prayer request on Sunday evenings. Any request can be sent to me at anarv22@aol.com and it will be included in our weekly news letter. If something major happens, I will obviously post such a need up right a way.
Brian and I were at the Bucknell-Holy Cross Basketball Game on Saturday. The Bucknell Athletic Department were gracious hosts! I did not get a chance to talk to Coach Flannery, but He looked as handsome as ever and we continue to pray for his health, happiness and success! It seems wherever we go, we make new friends. I had a chance to spend time with Bucknell Marketing Assistant Eric MacCabe. He is a fine young fellow from St Francis of Pennsylvania. He seems to be a man with an extremely bright future! I pray for his success also!
In meeting new friends, our old ones always seem to pop up also. There was a true Collingswood, New Jersey Legend at Bucknell Saturday Night! Brian and I were truly blessed with running into Former West Virginia and Duke Head Basketball Coach, The Great RC Bucky Waters! Coach Waters spent a few minutes with us after the game. Conversation included our Collingswood days, those great Holy Cross-Boston College wars of the 70's and Romans:12:12. Lots of smiles and laughs. RC promised to drop us a few words of encouragement from time to time.
Tomorrow, 2/20 will mark my 47th Birthday. I have already received calls and emails from a few of you. This day will also mark me entering my 18th year of being sober. It has been a bumpy journey with periods of hurt and stress, but I would never change one thing in my life. Everyone on this list has special meaning to me. Thank you for tolerating me. I love you all! Prayers! John V

Friends, I was informed today that the Father of our own Shelly Marie Lucas has been diagnosed with Colon Cancer. The good news is that the doctor said it has not spread to any other organ and they should be able to remove it all via surgery without needing chemo therapy. This all happened less than a year after he had that he had his quintuple bypass surgery. I have not met this gentleman in person, but I can say that he did a great job raising Shelly. She has been a loyal friend and an active participant in all we do. Please remember Mr. Lucas in your Daily Prayer. Much thanks! God Bless! John V

It has come to my attention that a fine man that I have crossed paths with, Pat Flannery, Head Basketball Coach at Bucknell University, has been unable to coach after being hospitalized for an undisclosed illness. Coach Flannery's record in basketball speaks for itself. His fiery sideline demeanor truly shows his love for his players and the game of basketball. But far beyond his success on the hardwood, Pat is a wonderful and caring man! I ask everyone to remember him in daily prayer. Also, please remember his father, who left this earth for his next assignment in the last calendar year. Much thanks! John V