Owensboro club pin keeps adopted priests close to Serrans’ hearts

The Serra Club of Owensboro, Ky., has issued a lapel pin to be used in conjunction with its Adopt-a-Priest program as a visible and stylish reminder to pray for their adopted priests.

When the sexual abuse scandal involving Catholic priests erupted in 2002, Serran William G. Bach, M.D., recognized the devastation to the morale of the priests within the church. He saw the urgent need for consistent prayer and support from the laity. Each and every priest needed personal and individual prayer. With support from Bishop John J. McRaith, Bishop of Owensboro, Ky., and Diocesan Vocations Director Father Bradley Whistle, the Serra Club of Owensboro set out to launch its Adopt-a-Priest program. 

Dr. Bach and his wife, Joy, designed a lapel pin with a Roman collar against a black background, surrounded above by "Serra for Vocations" and below by "Adopt a Priest." Each pin becomes unique once the initials and the date of ordination of an adopted priest are engraved on the back. Each priest within the Owensboro Diocese, whether diocesan or ordered, active or retired, is included. One Serran has adopted all those priests who are on leave of absence or have been suspended or laicized. 

A prayerful introductory card is included with the pin. The adopter sends this card to the priest telling him that he has been adopted and his special intentions will be lifted up in prayer every day. All people in the diocese, not just Serrans, are encouraged to adopt a priest. To insure that all priests are adopted, the priests are assigned randomly. Subscribing adopters are not permitted to choose their priest.

All of the active priests within the diocese have been adopted, and some a second time. The program is very active: one CCD teacher adopted a priest and found her class eager to adopt a priest of its own. The classmates take turns on a weekly basis wearing the pin and praying for their priest. A 14-year-old girl in her middle school faith formation class has adopted a priest. Priests have expressed their thanks privately and publicly. One sister ordered a pin before Christmas saying, "This is a wonderful idea. This is my Christmas gift to myself."

The Serra club has charged $15.00 for each pin to cover the cost of its manufacture, engraving of the priest's initials and ordination date, the card to be sent to the priest, mailers and postage. All money collected above the cost has been placed in the Owensboro Serra Club treasury to fund its projects. A copyright is pending with all rights reserved.

Any Serra club wishing to promote this program is invited to contact the Owensboro Serra Club at 4213 Spring Bank Drive, Owensboro, Ky., 42303.

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