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"In the Loop" News

THE HISTORY OF SERRA INTERNATIONAL
75 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Al Giordano, Ph.D, Historian

The book, The History of Serra International, is now available for distribution. Only 500 copies were printed and 200 of those were sold at two regional conventions in Tacoma, WA and Riverside, CA.

Copies are great as gifts to speakers, to a new club member, for your Bishop or Chaplain, to honor outstanding Serrans, as well as being a great recruitment tool. The first four clubs each purchased a box.

Two copies for $50, a best buy, or $29.75 for one; a box of 17 is $400.

SEND YOUR CHECK TO:
SERRA HISTORY PROJECT
PO Box 3673
Carmel, CA 93921-3673


A Wish for Blessed Serra's 300th Birthday

November 24, 2013, marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of our patron, Blessed Junipero Serra. On June 5, 2011, the USA Council Board approved a resolution to plan an international celebration to honor this illustrious day. At the Serra International Convention in Ottawa last month, President Thomas Wong formed a committee to plan the celebration.

The celebration of Blessed Serra's birth will give our whole organization a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor our patron and to increase the awareness of our organization and mission to non-Serrans and the Church on a wide scale.

As we develop these events, stay in touch with us in the following ways:

Share ideas and friend us on Facebook at Majorca 2013
Bookmark www.majorca2013.com and visit often
Check for updates at www.serraus.org and www.serra.org
We encourage all clubs, regions and districts to plan an extraordinary event during 2012 and 2013 to mark the celebration locally. Make your objective to attract non-Serrans to raise awareness of our wonderful Serran vocations work!

Finally, let's plan to be in Fr. Serra's birthplace of Petra, Majorca, in July 2013. Majorca is a beautiful small island in the Mediterranean Sea just south of Spain. This momentous occasion calls for a momentous journey; please join us!

All New - Illustrated Novel Of Blessed Junipero Serra’s Life

A terrific vocation activity. Give one to each eighth grade student in your
district and clubs area. To all school & church libraries A fantastic highly professional design and printing. The children love it!! To order contact the:

USA Council of Serra International
65 E Wacker Place Suite 802
Chicago IL 60601-7238
Toll-free voice: 1-888-777-6681
Toll-free fax: 1-888-777-6803
Email: serraus@serraus.org / www.serraus.org $1.00 ea Plus shipping&handling

 

IRS Reporting Requirement

In order to comply with IRS Reporting Requirements for Not for Profit Organizations, the USA Council of Serra International is required to file a IRS Form 990-EZ for each Serra club in the United States. The Form 990-EZ must be filed by the 15th day following the close of the fiscal year on May 31 or October 15, 2012. Failure to file annually will result in the loss of a clubs' tax exemption.

The USA Council has created an easy to complete online reporting form for your Serra club to submit the required information in a timely manner, please complete this form by September 1. Click here to open the form, you have the option to submit a copy by email or print a copy to mail or fax. We also recommend that you print a copy for your club files.

2012-13 Serra Club Officer Reports Due

The 2012-13 Serra Club Officers reports are due. Please use this report form to submit your club officer report 2012-13 Incoming Club Officer Report

Working for You -- Committee News


Vocations

2011-2012 Best Vocations Programs

The USA Council Vocations Committee wants you to know that the committee believes this summary lists the "best" vocations activities your club can implement in the coming year <click here for the summary>.

Please complete our 2011 Club Vocation Committee Survey.

Begin Planning Today - National/Worldwide Vocation Events

The National Vocation Awareness Week, World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life and World Day of Prayer for Vocations are now available and posted to our website. The planning kits can be downloaded for use in your clubs, parishes, schools, religious congregations and dioceses.

Previously Serra Clubs, parishes and dioceses paid over $90,000 to NCCV for these materials. The USA Council will be providing these materials at no cost. The $90,000 can now be used for other vocation work and programs. We will not have printed versions available. In order to help us defray the cost of producing these materials, donations can be made to the Bishop Britt Vocations Restricted Fund.

National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW)
Includes: liturgy planning guide, music suggestions, homily guide, general intercessions, prayer service, prayer card master, bulletin announcements, clip art, poster.
World Day for Consecrated Life (WDCL)
Includes: liturgy planning guide, music suggestions, homily guide, general intercessions, prayer service, prayer card master, bulletin announcements, clip art, poster.
World Day of Prayer for Vocations (WDP)
Includes: liturgy planning guide, music suggestions, homily guide, general intercessions, prayer service, prayer card master, bulletin announcements, clip art, poster.
 

Planning for Graduation - Class of 2012

College Connection for Catholics is helping your get started with new resources for 2012. <more...>

Serra’s College Connection for Catholics Program Links Catholic Youth with Church on Campus

Parents are often dismayed when their kids go off to college and wander away from the Catholic faith. The USA Council of Serra International saw the need to connect young people with the church on campus and developed the College Connection for Catholics program to forge that bridge.<more>

College Connection in the News!

Program connects college students with Catholic events (Denver Catholic Register May 2011)

Learn More...
the COLLEGE CONNECTION for Catholics

Communications

Attention all Serra Clubs: Do you have a website that we do not know about? Send us an email and we can create a link to your Serra Club's website. Need help please see our Serra Club Webpage Template page for more information.

Serra Club Newsletter Editors: Do you want to post your newsletter online? Send us a copy via email and we add it to our online listing.

Programs

 

Membership

Membership Workshops

Membership- 101- Recruiting
Membership- 102 - Retention

USA Council Awards Program!

Are you part of a winning team? Let us know.

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SerraUSA

Current Issue:

Remembering Mother Teresa ~ Winter 2010

 

Past issues ... 

What is a "Culture for Vocations?" ~ Spring/Summer 2010

Year for Priests ~ Summer/Fall 2009

 

 

The Serra Leader

If you have any questions, would like to submit an article, offer your suggestions please email the Communications Coordinator.

The Serra Leader (Winter '11)

The Serra Leader (Print Editions)

Vol 5|Num 3 The Serra Leader (Summer 09)
Vol 5|Num 4 The Serra Leader (Spring 10)
Vol 6|Num 1 The Serra Leader (Jul 10)

Annual Reports

USA Council of Serra International Annual Audit Report (2010-11)

USA Council of Serra International Annual Report (2010-11)

USA Council of Serra International Annual Report (2009-10)

USA Council of Serra International Annual Audit Report (2009-10)

Serra International

2012 Serra International Convention
June 21-24, 2012

Plan now to attend this wonderful event. The 2012 Serra International Annual Convention will be in Providence, RI June 21-24, 2012 it promises to be informative, historical, and very enjoyable. We hope to see you in Providence! For registration and additional information please visit the Serra International website www.serra.org.

Serra International Bellringer

The Bellringers (Aug 2010)

The Bellringers (May 2010)

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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.

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

serraUSA Club Locator (As of Dec 2011, please note dates and times are subject to change without notice.)

 

Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations to Ordained Ministry and Consecrated Life

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.

Adoration for Vocations
Mar 1-Apr 2, 2012 (Archdiocese of Boston, MA)
Apr 23-Apr 30, 2012 (Diocese of Orlando, FL)


Dates to Remember

April 29, 2012
World Day of Prayer for Vocations

 

August - December, 2011

Annual District/Regional Conferences

USA Council of Serra International is happy to provide this list of Annual Fall District/Regional Conferences.

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 conference near you.

 - May God bless you and your work for vocations.

New England Conference

Date: 2012 TBA
Location: TBA

Mid-Atlantic Conference

Date: 2012 TBA
Location: TBA

Great Lakes Conference

2012
Date: September 28-30, 2012
Location: Cleveland, OH

2013
Date: September 26-30, 2013
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Region 7 Conference

Date: 2012 TBA
Location: TBA

2013
Date: September 26-30, 2013
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Region 8 Conference

Date: Nov. 16-18, 2012
Location: Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo, MN

Region 9 Conference

2012
Date: Oct 26-28, 2012
Location: Conception Abbey Guest Center

2013
Date: September 27-29, 2013
Location: National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Western Regional Conference

Date: 2012 TBA
Location: TBA

District 6 Conference

Date: Oct 13, 2012
Location: Christ on the Mountain Parish

District 1-Region 12 Conference

Date: 2012 TBA
Location: TBA

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 . . .

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.

- May God bless you on your discernment journey.

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 . . .

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