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The SERRA and NET Connect

These past years a successful effort was made to connect young missionaries of the National Evangelization Team (NET) with Serra Clubs across our nation. NET Teams, made up of 6 young men and 6 young women ages 18 to 28, visited over 70 Dioceses, giving retreats for young Catholics. The following information came from a meeting of Serrans and Netters during the annual NET wrap-up week. About 15% of all team members enter the convent or Seminary after serving on NET. The rest of the team are very good candidates as future Serrans.

Almost 20 Serra-NET contacts were made and just a few are mentioned here. Regina Uveges, president of the Mercerville, New Jersey Serra Club reported that her club enjoyed fixing a home-cooked lunch for a NET Team. Club members enjoyed talking to the Netters and the Netters reported it was a great time for them also. As one Netter said, “It was just fun to visit with the Serrans and learn about one members’ recent trip to the Holy Land. It is a neat change for us to interact with adults in love with their faith.”

Team 3 did retreats in Texas and enjoyed sharing about NET at a Dallas Serra Club Meeting. They especially liked spending time with the Serrans and hearing about the work Serra does. Winona, MN. Serrans also gave team 3 a snack basket when they visited their area.

In Duluth, MN, the Serra Club entertained team 7 with a lasagna dinner at the Cathedral. Netters shared their testimonies and did an inspirational retreat drama for them.

Team 7 attended a luncheon club meeting in Wichita, Kansas. Netters gave their testimonies and told how being on NET had changed them. One Netter commented that it was great to spend time with the Serrans and hear about their work.

In Kansas City, the local Serrans arranged outings on two different free days for the NET Team. One day the team toured the Harry Truman Museum and ate at a Mexican restaurant with some Serrans. Another day Serran members took the team to dinner at Jack Stack Barbecue and gave them money for a movie. One young man reported that the barbecue was the best food he had all year.

January found team 6 in Greeley, Colorado. The Serra Club there had the Netters attend Mass with them and present some testimonies at their meeting. The kids reported that it was so much fun to sit and visit with the Serrans, share their testimonies and play bingo with them.

The Serra Club of Toledo, Ohio arranged a private tour of the Presidential Library and hosted a dinner for the team. The kids were impressed by the support the Serrans showed for their work.

In a wrap-up meeting with the Netters, Mike Pohlen asked them if they felt it was worthwhile to meet with the Serrans. Everyone there mentioned they thought it was great. As one young woman said, “It is fun to share with people that are so enthusiastic and appreciative of our work. I also learned more about Serra and what they do.” The overwhelming response was that this was a great activity for the Netters and great encouragement to them in their missionary work. Serrans also reported that they felt invigorated by the young missionary’s zeal for their faith and commitment to the church.

The Net Teams travel schedule for next year is already available. It will be posted on the Net Ministry website. Maybe your club could be involved with these enthusiastic young missionaries next year. There are so many ways you can connect with a team. You might want to plan a meal or reception, schedule them to attend your meeting or vocation/school event or even provide host homes for lodging. Please contact the Diocese Contact Person on the NET schedule to have a NET Team connect with your club. We will be able to give more localized NET Schedules as they become available. Check it out at http://www.netusa.org/.

2011 - 2012 NET Tour Dates

Allentown, PA, February 13 - 17
Atlanta, GA, March 6 - 20
Atlanta, GA, April 24 - May 3
Baltimore, MD, April 19 - 26
Baton Rouge, LA, October 29 - November 15
Belleville, IL, October 2 - 7
Bismarck, ND, October 1 - 19
Boise, ID, February 16 -18
Burlington, VT, November 15 - 29
Camden, NJ, November 25 - 30
Camden, NJ, March 20 - 29
Charleston, SC, October 7 - November 1
Charlotte, NC, February 24 - 28
Charlotte, NC, January 26 - 29
Chicago, IL, February 14 - March 8
Cincinnati, OH, January 24 - 30
Cincinnati, OH, March 18 - April 9
Colorado Springs, CO, May 3 - May 5
Columbus, OH, January 30 - February 14
Dallas, TX, February 2 - 14
Davenport, IA, January 10 - 24
Denver, CO, January 30 - February 10
Des Moines, IA, October 26 - 28
Detroit, MI, April 9 - 26
Dodge City, KS, February 21 - 23
Dubuque, IA, April 27 - May 6
El Paso, TX, April 26 - May 4
Erie, PA, January 11 - 26
Fargo, ND, November 10 - 23
Military Services, USA, March 29 - April 2
Galveston-Houston, TX, January 12 - February 2
Gary, IN, December 3 - 12
Gaylord, MI, January 11 - 24
Grand Island, NE, February 10 - 14
Grand Rapids, MI, November 26 - December 14
Greensburg, PA, October 2 - 11
Harrisburg, PA, November 25 - December 14
Harrisburg, PA, February 14 - 24
Indianapolis, IN, March 15 - 18
Jefferson City, MO, February 28 - March 20
Joliet, IL, November 4 - 17
Joliet, IL, December 7 - 15
Kalamazoo, MI, April 26 - May 1
Kansas City, KS, January 10 - 24
La Crosse, WI, November 25 - December 15
Lafayette, IN, November 18 - 22
Lafayette, LA, February 24 - March 6
Las Vegas, NV, February 7 - 21
Lexington, KY, December 4 - 7
Los Angeles, CA, March 9 - April 12
Lubbock, TX, October 19 - 28
Madison, WI, March 8 - 12
Manchester, NH, October 25 - November 22
Marquette, MI, May 1 - 6
Memphis, TN, March 20 - 26
Metuchen, NJ, March 29 - April 5
Milwaukee, WI, November 1 - 4
Milwaukee, WI, January 24 - February 28
Mobile, AL, October 8 - 18
New Orleans, LA, April 15 - 26
New Ulm, MN, October 20 - November 10
Newark, NJ, April 13 - 17
Oklahoma City, OK, January 11 - 24
Orange, CA, February 21 - March 6
Owensboro, KY, January 11 - 24
Paterson, NJ, February 17 - March 13
Pensacola/Tallahassee, FL, March 20 - 29
Peoria, IL, December 1 - 15
Phoenix, AZ, February 1 - 2
Pittsburgh, PA, March 1 - 15
Portland, ME, November 7 - 15
Portland, OR, February 18 - 27
Providence, RI, March 13 - 20
Pueblo, CO, January 25 - 30
Rapid City, SD, November 10 - 19
Reno, NV, April 14 - 24
Richmond, VA, October 19 - November 8
Richmond, VA, January 26 - February 13
Rockford, IL, October 1 - 18
Sacramento, CA, March 6 - 20
San Bernardino, CA, November 21 - December 12
San Diego, CA, March 6 - 9
Santa Rosa, CA, February 27 - March 6
Santa Rosa, CA, April 26 - May 1
Savannah, GA, March 26 - April 1
Seattle, WA, March 21 - April 3
Sioux City, IA, April 20 - May 1
Sioux Falls, SD, October 2011 & April 2012
Springfield, MA, November 2 - 7
Springfield/Cape Girardeau, MO, November 28 - December 5
St. Cloud, MN, December 12 - 15
St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN, October 14 - December 15
St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN, January 10 - May 6
St. Petersburg, FL, April 12 - 24
Stockton, CA, April 12 - 24
Superior, WI, October 2 - 14
Syracuse, NY, November 30 - December 2
Toledo, OH, October 2 - November 1
Trenton, NJ, March 13 - 30
Tucson, AZ, January 25 - February 7
Venice, FL, April 27 - May 1
Washington, D.C., October 3 - 25
Washington, D.C., April 17 - 19
Wheeling/Charleston, WV, October 11 - November 1
Wichita, KS, February 3 - 23
Winona, MN, November 2 - 23

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