The Serra Club is a named after the Franciscan Missionary, Junipero Serra, the founder of many of the California Missions. It was founded in 1935 in Seattle by a small group of Catholic laymen who saw the need to foster vocations to religious life, both by recruiting vocations and by supporting those religious in their active careers.
Eighteen years after its founding, the Serra Club in the Diocese of Amarillo was established on April 29, 1953.
Formally recognized by the Holy See as the global lay apostolate for vocations in the Catholic Church, Serra is a voluntary association of some 20,000 Catholic laymen and laywomen called Serrans.
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.
Serra Clubs are very instrumental and dedicated to the formation and support of Parish Vocation Committees. Please 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 including:
• 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 Club and working toward a common goal.
The Serra Club of the Diocese of Amarillo meets twice a month during lunch hour at the Amarillo Club. These short meeting programs are used to plan activities to support vocations and also enrich the spiritual lives of the members through fellowship and by having qualified speaker guests on spiritual matters. The Serra Club of the Diocese of Amarillo also hosts dinners in appreciation for the Priests, Nuns, Deacons and their wives once a year.
We invite you to learn more about joining our mission and ministry. Our club represents the local chapter for Serra International, a global organization of lay Catholic men and women whose goal is to bring young souls to the service of God in the religious life and to strengthen our members’ common Catholic faith. For membership information please contact Don Meyer at 351-2452 or any Serra Club Member.
2013-14 Serra Club Officers
President-elect: Gerald Brandt Incoming President: Bernie Wieck Vice President, Programs: Deacon Floyd Ashley Vice President, Vocations: Stan Britten Vice President, Memberships: Don Meyer Vice President, Communications: Kim Richard Secretary/Treasurer: David Dzik Trustee: 3 year – Dave Krupnick Trustee: 2 year – David Hudson Trustee: 1 year – Tom Riney
Visit our calendar of events at www.amarillodiocese.org – vocations – Serra Club.
The Vision of Serra Club:
To have all people respond to God’s call to their vocation in life.
We hope:
To educate and inform our members, collaborators and the Catholic Community of our commitment to promote the ordained priesthood and religious life.
To encourage and affirm the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life as a positive lifestyle.
To inspire and call forth a well-trained and dedicated corps of leaders at all levels of Serra by spiritual and practical formation.
Therefore, that by our works, we will be recognized and sought after as the organization that actively works and promotes vocations to the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life.