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The SERRA CLUB of PHOENIX,
affiliated with Serra International, is dedicated to fostering
vocations to the Ministerial Priesthood and religious Life in
the Roman Catholic Church, encouraging the clergy and
Religious to persevere in their vocations and enriching the
spiritual and social lives of SERRANS, their families and
supporters of SERRA.
SERRA INTERNATIONAL has 820 Clubs with over
19,000 members in 37 countries. The world headquarters
is in Chicago, Illinois. There are
clubs in formation throughout the
world.
SERRA, as a movement, started with the formation
of the first SERRA CLUB in Seattle, Washington on February 27,
1935. The PHOENIX SERRA CLUB is now more than 48 years
old.
The club has officers and elected Trustees who
make up the Board of Directors. A Chaplain advises the
Board and Club in matters of the Church; he is also the Club's
spiritual advisor. Officers consist of: a President,
President-elect, Vice President of Vocations, V.P of
Membership, V.P of Programs, Secretary, Treasurer and three
Trustees. A communications person, chairpersons for the
SPECIAL EVENTS which include Seminarian Night, Charter Night,
Clergy night, Religious Appreciation Night, Fundraiser Event,
"Friends of Serra" Prayer Program and several other activities
serve to assist our Bishop in the 'needs for
vacations.'
SERRA is a Catholic Lay Persons' organization,
and is named after Blessed Junipero Serra, the Franciscan
missionary who served the Church in Spain and Mexico before establishing
missions from San Diego to
San
Francisco in the
United
States. In working to
preserve vocations of the ordained Priests, Sisters and
Brothers in the PHOENIX DIOCESE, our members have diligently
provided programs designed to bring vocations to the minds of
individuals who may be called to serve Christ in a special
way.
Vocations
Programs
SERRANS believe that the most
effective means of fostering Church vocations is through
prayer. Additionally, Serran VOCATIOSN PROGRAMS are designed
to instill in our homes, parishes and communities and
environments of faith and love; in which Church vocations will
spring forth, be matured and flourish.
SERRA’S work requires funding to
continue these important activities at a time when our young
Diocese continues to be one of the fastest growing Catholic
communities, being in constant need of more religious
ministers.
Funds derived from SERRA CLUB
MEMBERS’ efforts and activities are applied to vocations work,
such as:
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Gift to each Priest at his
ordination.
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Stipend of $300 twice a year to
all Seminarians.
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Annual get-together of all
clergy in the Diocese.
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Annual Appreciation Event,
inviting all Women Religious and Brothers to celebrate their
contributions to the Diocese.
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Annual Seminarian and Family
Picnic.
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Promotion of SERRA and member
participation in CHARTER NIGHT, attended by the Bishop.
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Assistance to Needy
Seminarians, in conjunction with the Diocesan Vocations
Director.
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Promoting the “Friends of
Serra” Prayer Program in Diocesan parishes. • Sending cards
to Priests on the dates of their Ordination anniversaries
and Birthdays.
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Annual Grant for the education
of Permanent Deacons.
Social Programs
On the Club level there are events
held which are directly related to the Vocations events, and
the regular MEETINGS of the PHOENIX SERRA CLUB are held on the
FIRST and THIRD TUESDAYS of each month, providing and
atmosphere for developing the spiritual growth of individual
SERRAN members. The Club activities, in a sense, provide
members a continuing education in their faith or, in the words
of SERRA INTERNATIONAL — a University of Christian Principles.
Board Trustees and Officers meet each month on the last
Tuesday of the month and provide an opportunity for all
members to learn and participates in the Club activities,
Goals and plans.
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