Saint Serra Club

Purpose

To spread the culture of vocations to all of the Parishes of the Archdiocese.

Contact

President & VP of Communications
Chuck Lynch
10305 Falling Tree Way
Louisville, KY 40223
ChuckLynch4782@gmail.com

Parish Vocation Ministry Ideas >

Regional Director – Ken Peet
Secretary & VP of Vocations – Bob Hublar
Treasurer – Jerry Gonsoski
VP Membership – Lynn Haner
VP Programs – Melody Denson
Other Trustees – Theresa Fiedler, Debbie Farmer, Ken Peet, Kevin Thieneman, Lincoln Lewis
Chaplain – Fr. Pat Dolan
Assistant Chaplain – Fr. Jeff Hopper

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Regular meetings – We target to have most meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month, at 11:30, in the Golden Corral at Hikes Point (4032 Taylorsville Road). The charge will be $12 for members and $15 for guests. Non-members wanting to attend should contact Chuck Lynch in advance.

May 31 (Sat) – Ordination of Deacon Cole McDowell to the priesthood. Cathedral of the Assumption – 11 am. All are welcome.

June 2 (1^st Mon) – Ellie Crawford of the Young Catholic Professionals will speak.

June 9 (2^d Mon) – Rosary for Vocations, 7 pm, by Zoom. See separate article for details in the June newsletter.

June 11 (2^nd Wed) – Holy Hour for Vocations – After the noon Mass in St. Margaret Mary Chapel.

June 16 (3^rd Mon) – Seminarian Emerson Wells will speak on his vocation journey.

June 16 (3^rd Mon) – “Serra Meets” by Zoom – 8 pm Louisville time. Saint John Vianney Center President & CEO David Shellenberger will be speaking on “The pressures and struggles that those in spiritual vocations encounter.” See https://serraus.org/events/ for details.

June 24 (Tue) – 11:45 – Serra Board Meeting – St. Margaret Mary Spirituality Center.

Questions? – Contact Chuck Lynch at (502) 442-9302 or ChuckLynch4782@gmail.com.

History

The year was 1934; the place was Seattle, Washington, and four Catholic friends had an idea. They decided to meet regularly over a meal to discuss how their Christian values could be lived out in their professional lives. Soon more friends were joining them, and within several months they had decided on an additional focus: the encouraging of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. They chose Padre Junipero Serra, the noted Spanish missionary, as patron.

This small group has grown into Serra International. Serrans today are still dedicated to spiritual growth, continuing Catholic adult education, warm fellowship, and the encouragement of Church vocations.

Serra International chartered its first Serra club in 1935 in Seattle, Washington. Then, as now, the two great needs for the church were for informed Catholic lay leaders who understand and live their own Christian vocations to service, and for dedicated priests and religious.

In 1951, Serra International became aggregated to the Sacred Council for Catholic Education and the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations.

In 1986, Serra International voted to welcome women as well as men to membership in the organization. Today, there are more than 800 Serra clubs in 37 countries with a total membership of more than 19,000 men, women and permanent deacons. Each Serra club is a member of both a national council and Serra International. Serra International, which has an office located in Chicago, links Serra clubs around the world.

The Saint Serra Club of Louisville – The Serra Club of Louisville was chartered on May 22, 1955. Fr. Junipero Serra was canonized September 23, 2015. Consequently, our Club now uses the name Saint Serra Club of Louisville.

The US Council of Serra

On June 1, 1994, Serra International approved and established the USA/Canada Council, as one of eight National Councils.

On June 1, 2000, the Serra International approved and established the Canadian Council of Serra International and the USA Council of Serra International. The United States is divided into 14 regions that correspond to the regions established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and adopted by the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD).

Today, there are over 12,500 Serrans in 332 Serra Clubs in the United States. Each Serran and Serra Club is supported in their ministry by District Governors, Regional Directors, National Committees, the USA Council Board and the Chicago Staff.