serra: now more than ever!

At his first USA Council board meeting as President in Toronto, Omaha Serran Bill Ramsey passed out buttons emblazoned with a very appropriate rallying cry for all Serrans:

 “Serra: NOW more than ever!”

Encouraged and fueled by the enthusiasm and solidarity shaped at the April Vocations Congress in Montreal, USA Council leadership and Episcopal Adviser Bishop Kevin Britt greeted 382 USA Serrans, priests and religious at the Annual Luncheon/Meeting on June 29, 2002.

Before sharing a meal together, district governors and the new USAC Board were inducted (see p. 14). President Claire Howard (Bethlehem, Pa.) assessed the state of the council and bid farewell to her year of presidency (p. 11). Incoming President Bill Ramsey outlined his exciting list of goals for the coming year (p. 10).

Every year, the Council recognizes one USAC Serran who has made a major contribution to furthering the ministry of Serra. Jim Mertes of the Southwest Houston club was presented with the Outstanding USAC Serran of the Year Award for his dedication to and efforts for Serra. While his contributions are too many to list, three of the most notable are the “Serran Room of Hospitality” at the bishops’ USCCB November meetings, his work to admit women into Serra membership, and his effort to get the newly-formed USA Council off the ground in 1994.

Also recognized for his vocations work was South Palm Beach County, Fla., Serran Dan Holefca, who was honored with the “Outstanding Catholic Lay Person Award.” Dan is most known for his work to find ways to effectively use and distribute the Ministry Potential Discerner, a survey designed to help identify young people who may have an interest in a Catholic vocation to the religious life.

Encouraged to decorate their tables in a way that identified their town or district, USAC Serrans used their creative talent to shape an atmosphere of whimsy and club pride. Four of the most original decorations were awarded with the new “Spirit of Serra” video and orientation program for sharing amongst the clubs in the districts.

Return to Top