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You can make a difference!

Take steps to plan and implement a Serra Club Membership Strategy -- the USA Council Membership Committee is asking each Serra club to to prepare a Membership Strategy, more information may be found here in the USA Council Membership Strategy.

 

Are you interested in promoting vocations in your parish, but don't know where to turn?

Become a part of the Serra family!

Here is your invitation to become a member of......

The Serra club, Serra clubs are known worldwide for their efforts to foster and affirm Catholic vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life. Serrans value not only their work, but also the sense of community they receive from knowing that they are not alone in their dedication to the men and women who have dedicated their life in ministry and service to our Church.

With more than 800 clubs in 36 countries, the Serrans are likely to be just next door. Serra clubs meet twice a month. In addition, each club schedules vocation awareness and affirmation activities throughout the year.

Serra clubs are very instrumental and dedicated to the formation and support of Parish Vocation Committees, contact your local parish office for more information for your parish vocation committee.

Each Serra club is part of a vast network of clubs, district, regions and national councils that comprise Serra International the " Lay vocation arm of the Catholic Church."  There are many benefits to membership within a Serra club. 

These are . . .

Spiritual Growth:

Spiritual growth and enrichment through the deepening of your faith and increasing knowledge of the church's teachings.

Education:

Study of current events happening in the public square in light of our Christian principles.

Service Projects and Social Activities:

Association with priests, religious and Catholic men and women who are faith filled, dedicated and generous - all sharing the ideals of the church and Serra and working toward a common goal.

I want to join! Who do I contact?

Call the USA Council headquarters at (888) 777-6681 and ask for the Membership Coordinator. You may also e-mail us at  serraus@serraus.org

To locate a local club near you we have added a Serra Club Locator that will list the Serra clubs by region.

In addition, should you find that there is no Serra clubs near you please, consider Membership-at-Large.

Consider becoming a member at large when...

Interested in promoting vocations, and there no Serra clubs in your area.

Relocating to areas where there are no Serra clubs.

Involved organizing a new Serra Club.

Our hope is that Serrans at large will be instrumental in starting new clubs. By becoming members at large, they will be kept informed about happenings in USA Council and Serra International.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Serra?

Serra has been working for vocations since its founding in 1935. With over 65 years of experience under its belt, the organization has become a top provider of excellent vocations resources, not only to its members, but also to parishes and vocations directors everywhere.

What is the USA Council of Serra International?

Founded in July 1994, the USA Council comprises over 12,000 Serrans in 328 clubs in the United States.

The mission of the USA Council is to foster and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life in the USA, and through this common ministry, further their members' common Catholic faith.

What are the goals of the USA Council?

We hope to:

Affirm the priesthood and religious life as positive lifestyles

Invite all men and women to follow their baptismal call

Educate and inform our members, collaborators and the Catholic community of our commitment to promote priesthood and the religious life

Inspire and call forth a well-trained and dedicated corps of leaders at all levels of Serra by spiritual and practical formation

Develop openness to the opinions of others

What are the benefits of membership?

As a member, you have direct access to these resources, plus expert advice from staff and successful clubs, to help you in your vocations work.

By joining Serra International, you officially become part of what Pope John Paul II dubbed "the lay vocation arm of the church."

In December 2000, the Holy Father gave Serrans their own day in Rome for the Great Jubilee and granted them a private audience and blessing at St. Peter's Basilica.

Serrans are the only lay organization to be recognized by the Pope. What an honor to be part of a family so respected by the Vatican!

What are some of the activities Serrans and Serrans at large can coordinate to help foster and affirm vocations?

Here are only a handful of examples:

Called by Name: a program of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in which individuals are given a personal invitation to consider a church vocation

Send greeting cards to priests and seminarians: send cards to celebrate birthdays and ordination/vows anniversaries

Start a Traveling Chalice in your parish: a program in which a chalice goes from home to home and symbolizes the need to pray for church vocations

Parish Bulletin Inserts: submit short articles or prayers about vocations to the editor of the parish bulletin to increase awareness

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ORGANIZE A NEW SERRA CLUB

The New Clubs Task Force of the Membership Committee of the USA Council has identified 14 steps in the process of organizing a new Serra club. They are:

 Step 1: Pray!

 Step 2: Form an extension committee.

 Step 3: Identify a target area.

 Step 4: Evaluate resources and means.

 Step 5: Consult the district governor.

 Step 6: Secure support from the Ordinary.

 Step 7: Contact the USA Council of Serra International.

 Step 8: Ask the bishop to appoint an acting chaplain.

 Step 9: Target prospective members.

 Step 10: Plan the first meeting.

 Step 11: Begin regular meetings.

 Step 12: Work closely with club-in-formation.

 Step 13: Move toward charter.

 Step 14: Hold charter presentation and continue follow-up.

There are many resources and assistance available to help you. The membership coordinator of the USA Council is also a source of help in the form of both advice and resources and is just a toll-free phone call away.

We recommend that you first call the USA Council of Serra International (1-888-777-6681) so that we can send to you a Club-in-Formation portfolio. We will also contact the District Governor in your area for his/her help in getting started.

Get Help!

Consult your district governor. He or she has the primary responsibility for starting new clubs in the district where you are. If the district has a district extension team, this team is a source of valuable help and information. Individuals who in the past have experienced success in forming new clubs make up this team.

Get Started!

For starters refer to your copy of the USA Council of Serra International manual, "Organizing a New Serra Club." It's included in the club-in-formation portfolio.

The manual has a lot of detailed information about the process of organizing a new Serra club. In addition, the manual lists helpful resources, offers suggestions and includes sample letters.

Get Materials!

Materials used in starting a new Serra club are provided by USA Council of Serra International at no cost to you.

 

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