Pray! Invite! Encourage! Affirm! Vocations
Find out more...
2006-07 Annual Report
2006-07 Audit Report
A Brief History...
F.A.Q.
Our Ministry
Padre Junipero Serra
Serra Clubs in the USA
serraUSA E-newsletter
SerraUSA
Here and Now!
SerraUSA Featured on CatholicTV
Pope Benedict XVI Visits the United States
Annual Meeting ~ Super Weekend
Serra International Restructuring Update!
Novena to Blessed Junipero Serra
Dates to Remember
May 31, 2008
New Serra Club Officer Reports Due
June 18-22, 2008
SerraUSA
Annual Meeting
Board Meeting
Super Weekend
August 12-17, 2008
2008 Serra International Convention, Aguas de Lindoia - Sao Paulo State, Brazil
"In the Loop" News
SerraUSA
Annual Meeting ~ Super Weekend
USA Council of Serra International
June 2008 Super Weekend and Annual Meeting
Gillespie Conference Center
Hilton Garden Inn, South Bend, IN
- Register online - download mail-in registration form
- Download and print the agenda
- Get to know our Speakers!
- Getting to South Bend is half the fun!
-
Pope Benedict XVI Visits the United States
Pope Benedict will visit the United States - April 15 -20, 2008.
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Episcopal Advisor of Serra International said: “The
Holy Father will confirm our faith, proclaim the truth, and point out that
Christ is our hope.”
He offers some practical ways in which we can prepare ourselves for this visit.
The Cardinal says, “We should begin now to pray for the spiritual success of our
Holy Father’s visit. Offer your Masses, Holy Communions, rosaries, and visits to
the Blessed Sacrament for the Pope that his visit may bear much fruit in the
United States.”
Cardinal Rigali continues that we should ask that the light of the Holy Spirit
be received through the words of Pope Benedict and that we have the humility to
recognize that through Pope Benedict’s words we hear the voice of Jesus whose
vicar he is. Then Cardinal Rigali adds, “You may want to attend daily Mass
during the Pope’s visit.”
Information on the Pope’s visit can be obtained at the Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website www.uspapalvisit.org.
President’s Message.
As an
update, both Boards of Serra International and the USA Council of Serra International
would like to announce that on March 8, 2008.
The Board of Serra International approved without change the tentative agreements reached last December in Omaha to resolve issues within Serra International. Serra’s USA Council had earlier approved the agreements at its January board meeting. Both boards unanimously adopted the agreements.
Serra International and the USA Council are developing specific plans to implement the agreements, especially the restructuring of the USA Council and increased representation on the SI Board. USAC will forward its restructuring proposals to Serra International in June of this year. Final implementation of the agreements is planned for sometime in 2010.
The leadership of Serra International and the USA Council are delighted the Omaha agreements have been officially approved. They are confident implementation of the agreements will benefit all of Serra and its work for vocations throughout the world.
Copies of the approved agreements will be available at
www.serraus.org.
Many of you have eagerly awaited the results of the meeting to discuss the
proposals regarding restructuring. That meeting was held in Omaha on December 3
and 4, and I am delighted to report to all of our USA Council Serrans that we
arrived at an agreement that should please all of us. Please study the terms of
the agreement printed below. If you have questions about it, please send an
e-mail to the Chicago USAC office, to my attention.
To all of you who prayed for a peaceful, just resolution of our difficulties
regarding the restructuring proposals, thank you and thank God.
Opening Remarks - Archbishop Curtiss
Serra Memorandum of Understanding
Serra Memorandum of Understanding (signatures)
Mary, Mother of vocations, pray for us.
Ernest P. Doclar
President, USA Council of Serra International
Click here to read a letter from Lloyd Crockett, President, Serra International
The
USA Council is happy to bring to serraUSA a news and networking resource to keep
the Serrans of the USA informed and aware of vocations news and US Serra club
activities in the United States.
USA Council
Annual Report
2006-07 USA Council of Serra International Annual Report
2006-07 USA Council of Serra International Annual Audit Report
serraUSA
Spring
2008 | Vol. 7 No. 1
The Serra Leader
The Serra Leader Newsletter: Feb. 2008 is now online!
Our first-ever issue of the Serra Leader newsletter online! This newsletter
helps keep leaders at all levels of Serra informed and on top of the latest USA
Council initiatives and events.
<click here>
This spring we will return to our usual printed issue.
Serra International Bellringers
Serra International Bellringers (Dec 07-PDF)
The Bellringers April 2008
The Bellringers April 2008
Serra International Bellringers (Dec 07 MS Word)
USA Council Awards Program!
Are you part of a winning team? Let us know.
Working for You Committee News
Vocations
the COLLEGE CONNECTION program
A recent study completed by CARA for the U. S. Bishops concerning Catholic Campus Ministry (November, 2005) confirmed a strong opinion that those who were active in Campus Ministry: attended Mass more often than those who did not participate in Campus Ministry; donated more to their Parishes; became leaders in the Parishes; and were more likely to consider a vocation to the Priesthood or Religious Life.
The obvious conclusion: increasing the number of students participating in Campus Ministry should greatly benefit the Church in many ways.
SerraUSA wants to help High School graduates locate the "Catholic presence" when they arrive on campus - especially at schools that have an active Catholic Campus Ministry program. Learn more and get started today...
The USA Council Vocations Committee has prepared a Spanish translation of our very popular Handbook for Parish Vocation Activity - MANUAL PARA ACTIVIDADES DE VOCACION (Rev June 2007) download it today.
Fishers of Men
The Fishers of Men program is designed to encourage priests to step back from their daily lives and reflect on the many positive reasons they pursued their vocations, to discuss those reasons with their brother priests, parish families and ultimately to share those reasons with other men with an invitation to the priesthood.
Read more here...
Go to the Fishers of Men page here... "Fishers of Men" Trailer
Communications
serraUSA News and Networking Center
Programs
Membership
Why I am a Serra? -- Serrans reflections on their ministry
Serra presented an opportunity for me to become personally involved in promoting vocations in the religious area and affirming those already serving the Lord. I observed first-hand the opportunities that existed between Serra and the local Archdiocese in assisting their Vocations office with related vocation activities. Moreover, I discovered the opportunities that are available in Serra to enhance my own spiritual life. I view Serra as a special Ministry. Read more...
Springtime brings SerraUSA New Clubs
CHICAGO -- With the generous help of the Serra Club of Boston, SerraUSA leaps into Spring and new technologies by introducing Serra's mission and ministry by way of the world wide web and sharing the Spirit of Serra video online.
From coast to coast, SerraUSA is working to establish new Serra clubs with greater energy. SerraUSA is devoted to strengthening the mission and ministry of Serra in U.S. Catholic dioceses as well as establishing new clubs in dioceses where we do not have a club very much like Boston, MA.
SerraUSA has successful in establishing clubs-in-formation in dioceses like Charleston, SC, Salina, KS, and Baker, OR. The Archdiocese of Portland will be welcoming its newest Serra Club in May 2008 with the Serra Club of Salem/Keizer, OR. Just over the mountains in Oregon, yes Serra is still climbing mountains for vocations, very soon a new club will be welcoming the Serra Club of Central Oregon - Baker City and Bend, OR.
These are but a few of all the clubs we are working on, others include Western Kentucky, Springfield, MA at UMAss at Amherst, MA, and Westlaco , TX which practically formed overnight in South Texas. Are you working a new Serra Club? We want to know please contact the Membership Coordinator.
Serra Club-in-Formation in Boston, Vocations, and SerraUSA Featured on CatholicTV
Father
Robert Reed (pictured) holds up a car/refrigerator magnet created by the Serra
Club-in-Formation for the Archdiocese of Boston. The magnet was presented to
hosts Fr. Reed and Jay Fadden during a special one-hour edition of CatholicTV's
live talk show "This is the Day" (watch
it now - April 8, 2008) honoring the bicentennial of four US Catholic dioceses: Boston,
Louisville, Philadelphia and New York.
Guests included Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville and representatives from New York, Philadelphia and Canada.
The show also featured a special segment on vocations with Father Dan Hennessey from the Archdiocese of Boston's vocations office and Loretta Gallagher from the Serra Club-in-Formation in Boston representing the USA Council of Serra International, a ministry to encourage and support vocations.
Loretta Gallagher (pictured above with His Eminence Sean Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, MA), later in the day was invited with her husband Brian to stay and tape another segment about the formation of the Serra Club of Boston to be broadcast May 6, 2008. Look for it on www.catholictv.org.
For more than fifty years, CatholicTV has been providing quality programming for the Catholic community and beyond. This is the place to watch a streaming version of our live broadcast. This is the place to find a complete schedule of our 24-hour religious, inspirational and educational lineup.
You can also find more detailed descriptions and previews of our programming, the latest news about CatholicTV, ask a question of our director, and discover where CatholicTV is available throughout the United States and Canada. Become part of our growing family…we are CatholicTV and we are here for you.
Serra International forming first Boston chapter
BOSTON -- With the goal of strengthening the culture of vocations, the Archdiocese of Boston announced the formation of a local chapter of Serra International. The organization’s mission is to foster, promote and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
For more information please visit the club-in-formation web page at Serra Club of Boston, MA.
Serrans throughout the United States are asked to pray for the success of new
club effort in Boston, thank you.
Serra Clubs are encouraged to draft and implement a comprehensive membership strategy for their clubs. Membership strategies will be implemented at all levels of Serra in the USA. Our success relies on you. Download the SerraUSA Membership Strategy for 2008 here.
A one page plan that details what your club, district or region will do to implement the membership strategy is you will need.
How do you recruit new members?
Success stories wanted. Every year we hear that membership is important to our mission and ministry and every year we ask you to go out and find new members. Well, now is your chance to tell us about your success in finding new members and how you did it. Serra clubs around the USA have creatively recruited new Serrans and we want to know how you so we can share it every Serra club. Please send these success stories to the Membership Coordinator.
The Serra Club of San Diego North Coast prepares this brochure to place in all their parishes literature racks. Take a look...
A new way to find Serra clubs online...take a look!
Meetings and Conventions
Just in time for those of planning an Annual Fall District/Regional Convention a report of the lessons learned and best practices to make your convention a great success - download it today!
Fall Convention Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Looking Forward
Where two or more are gathered...
One Serran said, "A Serra meeting should be like spending an hour with Jesus." Serrans believe that when members gather for prayer, a meal and conversation, they grow in faith and are inspired and challenged by each other.
After hearing a speaker or discussing a topic such as prayer, social justice, Scripture, business ethics, ministry or church vocations, Serrans return to work, the family and the community with a renewed sense of how to live out the Christian message.
The Serra club is a place for spiritual growth and fellowship. Retreats, prayer at meetings and regular liturgies nurture the spiritual life of each individual and help members grow together as a Christian community.
Serra clubs typically meet twice each month and districts meet annually. Also, international conventions are held every year, attended by representatives from Serra clubs throughout the world.
We invite you to consider anyone of the following opportunities for you to join us at these events and learn more and why we are Serrans.
On the road...visit a Serra Club during your trip
USA Council of Serra International Serra Club Meeting Calendar
As of March 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, dates and times are subject to change without notice.Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations to Ordained Ministry and Consecrated Life
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His Holiness John Paul II blessed this monstrance for the Church in North America so that during the Year of the Eucharist we all might pray for vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life. In cooperation with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation, the USA Council of Serra International is coordinating and sponsoring the tour of this Monstrance to US Catholic dioceses throughout the Year of Eucharist and beyond.
Tour Schedule (as of March 1, 2008) through January 31, 2009
2008 Serra International Convention, Aguas de Lindoia - Sao Paulo State, Brazil
Plan now to attend this wonderful event. The 2008 Serra International Annual Convention
will be in Aguas de Lindoia, Brazil, August 12-18, 2008 it promises to be informative, historical, and very enjoyable. We hope to see you in
Aguas de Lindoia, Brazil! Registration and additional information please visit the Serra
International website www.serra.org.
Click for more
information...
The Serrans of Brazil warmly encourage you to come early and stay late when you visit their beautiful and fascinating homeland for Serra’s 66th international convention to be held in Aguas de Lindoia Sao Paulo State Brazil from 14 – 17 August 2008. As one of many convention highlights, Serra’s Episcopal Adviser, His Eminence, Justin Cardinal Rigali will deliver the Keynote Address on the theme of the convention, “Vocation: The Dream of God!”
Located in the mountains northwest of Sao Paulo, the
attractive resort city
of Aguas de Lindoia provides a pristine and peaceful environment. The convention
headquarters hotel is the 4-star Hotel Monte Real Resort.
Full details of the convention program, including pre- and post-convention
tours are available by going directly to
www.serraconvention.org.
This April 2008 edition of THE BELLRINGERS includes the necessary form to enable each and every Serra Club to send its delegate, alternate delegate or proxy delegate to the convention.
SERRA’S 2008 CONVENTION - A DELEGATE FROM EVERY CLUB!
We urge every Serra Club to send a delegate to Serra’s 66th international convention to be held in Aguas de Lindoia, Sao Paulo State, Brazil from 14 - 17 August 2008. It is important that each club’s voice is heard and vote counted at the delegates’ meeting held during the convention. Delegates also bring back to their clubs their reports of the convention happenings, thereby informing their fellow Serrans about new ideas and initiatives for vocation activities, internal programs, recruiting and membership retention, and communications. The convention is a special time of interaction and fellowship on a global level. Act now to make sure that your club will have representation at this year’s international convention.
Dates to Remember
Check serraUSA Monthly Planner often to plan ahead.
May 2008
May 31, 2008
New Serra Club Officer Reports Due
June 2008
June 18-22, 2008
SerraUSA
Annual Meeting
Board Meeting
Super Weekend
August 2008
August 12-17, 2008
2008 Serra International Convention, Aguas de Lindoia - Sao Paulo State, Brazil
August - December, 2008
Annual District/Regional Conventions
USA Council of Serra International is happy to provide this list of Annual Fall District/Regional Conventions.
Join Serrans from your district and region for fellowship, inspiration, learning, and worship. Discover the world of Serra locally by attending a district or regional convention near you.
- May God bless you and your work for vocations.
The USA Council will be happy to post a notice of your district Spring Leadership and Planning Conferences, Serra Club days of prayer and reflection, and other Serra Club events on our website.
Submit your event notice with us . . .
New England Convention
Date: 2008 To be announced
Location: 2008 To be announced
The New England Convention will bring together the Serrans and Serra clubs from Districts 24 and 41.
Mid-Atlantic Convention
Date: October 10-12, 2008
Location: Oglebay Resort, Wheeling WV
The Mid-Atlantic Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 21, 22, 23, 25, 28, 35, 43, 49, 80-1, and 80-2, 84.
Great Lakes Convention
Date: October 10-12, 2008
Location: Oglebay Resort, Wheeling WV
The Great Lakes Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 15, 19, 21, 48, 51, 84, and 85.
District 18 Convention
Date: 2008 To be announced
Location: 2008 To be announced
The District 18 Convention will bring together the Serrans and Serra clubs from District 18.
Louisiana Convention
Date: 2008 To be announced
Location: 2008 To be announced
The Louisiana Convention will bring together the Serrans and Serra clubs from Districts 11, 13, and 172.
District 86 Convention
Date: 2008 To be announced
Location: 2008 To be announced
The District 86 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from District 86.
Region 7 Convention
Date: October 10-12, 2008
Location: Oglebay Resort, Wheeling WV
The Region 7 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 8, 14, 16, 17, 29, 37, 145, and 154.
Region 8 Convention
Date: 2008 To be announced
Location: 2008 To be announced
The Region 8 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 7, 7-S, 7-W, and 137.
Region 9 Convention
Date: October 17-19, 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO at the KCI Hilton
The Region 9 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 12-1, 12-2, 9-E, 9-C, and 9-W.
Texas Convention
Date: October 24-26, 2008
Location: McAllen, TX
The Texas Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 5, 10, 11, 13, 44, 46-1, 46-2, 125, 125, 132, and 172.
Western Regional Convention
Date: October 17-19, 2008
Location: John Ascuaga’s Nugget, Reno, NV
The Western Regional Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 3, 4, 31, 33, 34, 79, 81, 82, 83, 127, 157, and 165.
District 1 Convention
Date: 2008 To be announced
Location: 2008 To be announced
The District 1 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from District 1-N, 1-E, 1-S and District 1 Canada.
District 6 Convention
Date: 2008 To be announced
Location: 2008 To be announced
The District 6 Convention and will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from District 6.
District 30 Convention
Date: 2008 To be announced
Location: 2008 To be announced
The District 30 Convention will bring together the Serrans and Serra clubs from District 30.
Vocation Discernment Retreats
"Vocation is about following that God-given pull or leaning that seems to come from deep within."
USA Council of Serra International is happy to provide this list of open invitations to hear God's Call.
Please contact the retreat master directly for more information regarding each scheduled event.
No Events Scheduled
- May God bless you on your discernment journey.
THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY
Of Manitowoc, WI INVITE YOU to join other young
adult, single women for weekends of prayer, faith, support, community, music
outreach, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, bonfires, hikes, sharing, quiet, and
renewal...
DATES:
May 30- June 1, 2008
COST: $25 CONTACT:
Sister Mary Ann Spanjers, O.S.F.
Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist
Young Ladies. . . Single Women. . . You Are Invited . . .
Do you think God may be calling you to Religious Life? Have you felt an
irresistible urge to give yourself totally to Christ and His Church? Have you
tried to ignore it but it keeps seeping back into your soul? Then come! Come and
share the support of others with the same values and dreams. The basic
requirement is an open mind and a loving heart!
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist invite you to come and spend a weekend seeking to know God’s will for you. The weekends offer:
Time for communal prayer with Mass and Liturgy of the Hours
Time for private prayer including Eucharistic Adoration
Conferences on Prayer, St. Francis, and Religious Life
Opportunities to visit with the Sisters
Extended times for discernment can be arranged by contacting Sr. Andrea
Sr. Andrea Kantner, O.S.F.
2100 N. Noland Road
Independence , MO 64050
Tel: (816) 252-1673
E-mail:
stfran2100@aol.com
Webpage: http://www.osfholyeucharist.org
Retreat Masters
The USA Council will be happy to post a notice of your days of discernment, life awareness, prayer, and reflection on our website.
Submit your retreat notice with us . . .
Pray! Invite! Encourage! Affirm! Vocations
Text & Design © 1997-2008 All rights reserved.
| Last Modified:
February 07, 2008 |
USA Council of Serra International
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