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A message from Rome

Dear USA Serra Leaders:

Below is an important message from Msgr. Francis Bonnici of the Pontifical Pastoral Ministry for Vocations to the Priesthood. It is addressed to those who work for vocations to the priesthood and specifically mentions the role played by Serra International in the pastoral ministry for vocations.

The message should be a stimulus for all of us to increase our efforts to invite and promote new vocations. I encourage you to pay particular attention to Msgr. Bonnici’s statement that the lack of vocations “…needs a well-planned project for vocations which is directed to boys and young people who, deep in their hearts, hear the call of God to the priesthood.”

Sincerely,

Joe DeLoy, Acting President, USA Council

2010 Serra International Convention
Anchorage, AK - September 2-5, 2010

President of USCCB to help promote priesthood in Alaska
Serra International brings global gathering to Anchorage

From the Catholic Anchor, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska. Feel free to link to or republish this story. We ask that you please include a link to the original story and credit CatholicAnchor.org.
Thank you.
Joel Davidson, editor
Catholic Anchor, Anchorage

An Invitation to the Anchorage Convention!

Plan now to attend this wonderful event. The 2010 Serra International Annual Convention will be in Anchorage, AK September 2-5, 2010 it promises to be informative, historical, and very enjoyable. We hope to see you in Anchorage! For registration and additional information please visit the Serra International website www.serra.org.

Save the date May 26-29, 2011

2011 Serra International Convention, Westminster, London, England

Serra International Bellringers

The Bellringers (Aug 2010)

The Bellringers (May 2010)

 

The Bellringers (Nov 09)
The Bellringers (May 09)
The Bellringers (Mar 10)
The Bellringers (Apr 08)
The Bellringers (Feb 10)
The Bellringers (Dec 09)
The Bellringers (Apr 09)
The Bellringers (Jul 09)
The Bellringers (Dec 08)
The Bellringers (Oct 09)
Serra International Bellringers (Dec 07-PDF)

The Serra Leader Summer 2009

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

The Serra Leader (Print Editions)

Vol 3|Num 4 The Serra Leader (Winter 07)
Vol 5|Num 1 The Serra Leader (Summer 08)
Vol 5|Num 2 The Serra Leader (Winter 08)
Vol 5|Num 3 The Serra Leader (Summer 09)
Vol 5|Num 4 The Serra Leader (Spring 10)

The Serra Leader (Online Editions)

Vol 4| Num 1 The Serra Leader (February 2008)

SerraUSA Spring 2009

 

 

 

 

Year for Priests ~ Summer/Fall 2009

Past issues of the serraUSA ... 

The serraUSA Magazine ~ Winter/Spring 2009

Vision of the Church in 2025 ~ Fall 2008

The serraUSA Magazine ~ Summer 2008

In God's Image ~ Spring 2008

 

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Annual Report

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

USA Council of Serra International Annual Audit ('08-'09)

USA Council Awards Program!

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

 

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Working for You Committee News

Vocations

College Connection for Catholics Launches NEW Website!

The website is at collegeconnectionforcatholics.org We have nearly 700 colleges in the program and will add more when we need them. <more>

BISHOPS LAUNCH NATIONAL WEBSITE TO PROMOTE VOCATIONS TO PRIESTHOOD AND CONSECRATED LIFE  

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is initiating a new website on April 25 to be a resource for both laity and clergy in the promotion of vocations. The launch date is both the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Good Shepherd Sunday.

The site has two goals:

To help individuals hear and respond to the call by God to the priesthood or consecrated life, and

To educate all Catholics on the importance of encouraging others through prayer and activities to promote vocations.

Site elements include discernment resources for men and women, respectively, aids for promoting a vocation culture within the home, and a range of tools for educators, youth leaders and vocation directors including prayers, videos, best practices, lesson plans and vocation awareness programs.

In response to Pope Benedict XVI’s 2010 Theme for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Witness Awakens Vocations, the site also hosts videos of priests and religious men and women giving witness to their vocations, as well as testimonies from family members.

ForYourVocation.org exemplifies the Vatican’s embrace of new communications media. In his message for the 44th World Day of Communications, Pope Benedict XVI challenges clergy to employ the “latest generation of audiovisual resources (images, videos, animated features, blogs, websites)” to put the media “ever more effectively at the service of the Word.”

Visit the site today....

 

To Save A Thousand Souls
A Guide to Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood

In what has been hailed as “a groundbreaking work” Fr. Brett Brannen compiles all the wisdom of a master Vocation Director into one volume. Using powerful and entertaining stories, the book explains in down-to-earth language how to discern a vocation to diocesan priesthood. For more information or order a copy of the book please visit Vianney Vocations.

The Calling

The Power of Life proudly presents, "The Calling." 3 unlikely men realize there is a higher calling in life than just money, materials, and power.

Be inspired by three men who answered God’s call to the priesthood! They lived happy and full lives with their sports and business, but even amidst the success and reaching their dreams, they hungered for a deeper meaning to life. They believed that there must be something more; there was a hunger for the void that existed in their heart….and the answer was God calling them to the priesthood.

The film invites the audience to reflect on their own life and the
importance of each of us answering God’s call. By The Power of Life, Inc. The DVD is 9:17 minutes and may be personalized for arch/diocese at additional production costs by contacting Power of Life at 920-363-6377.

For more information and questions, please contact Power of Life at (920) 362-6377.

To order the DVD, for a cost of $9.00, contact:

National Coalition for Church Vocations
5401 S. Cornell Avenue #205
Chicago, IL 60615-5664

Phone: 773.955.5453 - www.nccv-vocations.org

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>

Learn More...
the COLLEGE CONNECTION for Catholics

Begin Planning Today

National Vocation Awareness Week Jan 9-15, 2011
World Day for Consecrated Life Feb 6, 2011
World Day of Prayer for Vocations May 15, 2011

International and National Annual Celebrations The Catholic Church annually gives us numerous opportunities to celebration vocations. Three of these annual events include: National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW), World Day for Consecrated Life (WDCL), and World Day of Prayer for Vocations (WDP). NCCV annually publishes user-friendly planning kits to help parishes, schools, dioceses, and religious congregations celebrate these events. The kits are developed to coincide with the Liturgical Calendar and Cycles. Search National Vocation Awareness Week, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and World Day for Consecrated Life for complete descriptions and ordering information. Purchase of any of the Annual Celebration Kits includes duplication rights for a single parish or school only. The Kits may not be duplicated for quantity distribution by a diocese, religious congregation, or other organizations without the purchase of a bulk distribution permit from NCCV. Contact NCCV at 773.955.5453 for a permit number. All Annual Celebration Kits are copyrighted by NCCV. Permit numbers are valid for one year only.   World & National Annual Events 2011 Cycle A 2012 Cycle B 2013 Cycle C NVAW January 9-15 January 9-14 January 7-12 WDCL* February 6 February 5 February 3 WDP** May 15 April 29 April 26 *The US Bishops observe WDCL on February 2 when that date falls on a Sunday; if not it is observed on the Sunday after February 2. **The Holy Father issues a pastoral letter each year for the celebration of WDP. Visit the Vatican Web site for more information.

The USA Council of Serra International Vocations Committee, in collaboration with the National Coalition for Church Vocations (NCCV), is again preparing to provide the planning kits to Serra clubs through a bulk permit in order to encourage Serra clubs to assist their parishes and Catholic schools in celebrating these annual vocation events.

Available in English and Spanish. These complete resources for these annual international and national events are the no-hassle way to observe and celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW), World Day for Consecrated Life (WDCL), and 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.

Please contact the USA Council of Serra International toll-free 1-888-777-6681 or email serraus@serraus.org for more information and pricing details.

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

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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

USA Council of Serra International Serra Club Meeting Calendar

As of May 2010, 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
Aug 1 -Aug 31, 2010 (Archdiocese of Mobile AL)
September 17-20, 2010 (Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas)
Oct 1 - Oct 3, 2010 (Diocese of San Jose CA)
Mar 7 -Apr 3, 2011 (Archdiocese of Boston MA)

Dates to Remember

Check serraUSA Monthly Planner often to plan ahead.

September 2010

September 2-5, 2010
Serra International Convention, Anchorage, AK

October 2010

October 31, 2010
Celebrate Priesthood Sunday!

August - December, 2010

Annual District/Regional Conventions

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

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 convention near you.

 - May God bless you and your work for vocations.

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Ohio Valley/Great Lakes Convention

Date: October 8-10, 2010

Location: Historic Hilton Netherland Hotel, Cincinnati, OH

The Great Lakes Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 15, 19, 21, 48, 51, 84, and 85.

Region 8 Convention

Date: November 19-21, 2010

Location: Buffalo, MN

The Region 8 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 7-, 7-E, 7-W, and 137-.

Region 9 Convention

Date: October 1-3, 2010

Location: Dubuque, IA

The Region 9 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 12-1, 12-2, 9-E, 9-C, and 9-W.

Western Regional Convention

Date: October 1-3, 2010

Location: San Jose, CA

The Region 11 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from Districts 3-, 4-, 31-, 33-, 34-, 79-, 82-, 83-, 127-, 157-, and 165-.

District 6 Convention

Date: October 22-23, 2010

Location: Colorado Springs, CO

The District 6 Convention will bring Serrans and Serra clubs together from District 6-.

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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 . . .

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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.

No Events Scheduled

 - May God bless you on your discernment journey.

Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist

Young Ladies. . . Single Women. . . You Are Invited . . .
Do you think God may be calling you to Religious Life? Have you felt an irresistible urge to give yourself totally to Christ and His Church? Have you tried to ignore it but it keeps seeping back into your soul? Then come! Come and share the support of others with the same values and dreams. The basic requirement is an open mind and a loving heart!

Extended times for discernment can be arranged by contacting Sr. Andrea

Sr. Andrea Kantner, O.S.F.
2100 N. Noland Road
Independence , MO 64050

Tel: (816) 252-1673
E-mail: stfran2100@aol.com

Webpage: http://www.osfholyeucharist.org

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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