Posted on 10/27/2007 10:50:59 AM PDT by Salvation
The year was 1934; the place was Seattle, Washington, and four Catholic friends had an idea. They decided to meet regularly over a meal to discuss how their Christian values could be lived out in their professional lives. Soon more friends were joining them, and within several months they had decided on an additional focus: the encouraging of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. They chose Padre Junipero Serra, the noted Spanish missionary, as patron.
This small group has grown into Serra International. Serrans today are still dedicated to spiritual growth, continuing Catholic adult education, warm fellowship, and the encouragement of Church vocations.
Serra clubs are a great idea, and they have become a tradition of commitment.
Serra International chartered its first Serra club in 1935 in Seattle, Washington. Then, as now, the two great needs for the church were for informed Catholic lay leaders who understand and live their own Christian vocations to service, and for dedicated priests and religious.
In 1951, Serra International became aggregated to the Sacred Council for Catholic Education and the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations.
In 1986, Serra International voted to welcome women as well as men to membership in the organization.
Today, there are more than 800 Serra clubs in 37 countries with a total membership of more than 19,000 men, women and permanent deacons. Each Serra club is a member of both a national council and Serra International. Serra International, which has an office located in Chicago, links Serra clubs around the world.
To learn more about Serra International and its activities, explore the subjects below:
OBJECTIVES - Serra's objectives are to foster and promote vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life, and to encourage its members to fulfill their own Christian vocations to service.
SERRA INTERNATIONAL - The Serra International Office is in Chicago, IL and Mr. John Woodward, is the Executive Director. The Serra International Board coordinates the activities of the international committees and supports National Councils in furthering Serra's mission worldwide.
SERRA INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION - Created in 1951, the Foundation helps Serra International fulfill its organizational objectives by awarding grants within a competitive application process. Worldwide in scope, the Foundation accepts direct contributions and planned giving. Janet Dell-Freeman is the President of the Serra International Foundation. Mr. John Woodward is also the Executive Director of the Serra International Foundation.
You can order Serra Prayer Cards for the perseverance of vocations and for more vocations on reverse side. (Business Card size)
A Franciscan missionary Blessed Junipero Serra is well known as the 18th century founder of a string of California missions. Like Father Serra, the Serrans of today put faith into action. Whether through meetings, vocational programs, or personal involvement in school, parish and diocesan activities, Serrans accept the challenge of fostering vocations and encouraging spiritual growth.
Father Serra's missions were established along El Camino Real, which linked his Church-centered communities up and down the California coastline. By linking clubs throughout the world, Serra International strives to carry out its own mission: to foster and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life and to further Catholicism by encouraging its members, in fellowship, through education, to fulfill their vocations to service. (Photo Courtesy of Mission San Carlos Borromeo, CA)
Let Father Serra inspire us to nurture vocations and become missionaries ourselves as we work for vocations.
is to foster and affirm vocations to the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life in the United States and, through this ministry, our members' common Catholic faith.
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Affirm vocations.
Invite!
Encourage!
The next priest is out their in the pews!
Vocations Sunday
Good Shepherd Sunday — Fourth Sunday of Easter!
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