News/Events

January 14, 2008 - Serra International And Archdiocese Join In Support Of Vocations

Brighton, MA – The Archdiocese of Boston is pleased to announce that a Boston Club of Serra International is in the process of being established. Named for Franciscan missionary Blessed Junipero Serra (1713-1784) and founded in Seattle in 1935, Serra International exists to support, encourage and affirm vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

A gift to the Archdiocese in recognition of its Bicentennial celebration, the first meeting of the new Boston Serra Club will take place on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at St. Mary’s Church, 133 School St., Waltham, MA. The USA Council of Serra International, located in Chicago, is sending Peter Cunningham, National Membership Coordinator, as its representative to answer any questions prospective members may have about Serra. Joseph Myers, from the Serra New Hampshire Club, will also be in attendance.

Rev. Daniel Hennessey, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Boston, will serve as Chaplain for the new Serra Boston Club.

Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley said, "We are blessed that Serra International is joining us here in the Archdiocese, to assist us in our work to foster, promote and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We are grateful for the commitment and energy of our Archdiocesan Vocations Office, which is helping many young men discern the call to priesthood through our seminaries and also helping women and men to consider the call to religious life. The important presence of Serra in the Archdiocese of Boston and their dedication to fostering vocations will greatly enhance our efforts to reach out to those who are being called to serve the Lord and His Church."

Fr. Hennessey said, “Across the board we are seeing a substantial increase in the numbers of people interested in serving the Catholic community here in the archdiocese. Serra will help to bring the talents, energy and commitment of the Catholic laity, clergy, religious and diaconate together for the purpose of serving Christ, the Church and her faithful.”

There are over 1,088 Serra clubs in 44 countries with a total membership of more than 20,000 individuals. Locally, monthly meetings are planned for every 3rd Saturday from 8:30 – 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s in Waltham.

Brian & Loretta Gallagher of Newburyport will serve as the Interim Leadership team for Serra Boston. Their son, Joe, designed the new Serra Boston website and will act as webmaster for the Club. In speaking of their involvement with Serra, the Gallaghers said, “We are happy to be a part of this exciting new venture in assisting Fr. Hennessey and the Vocations Office to support, affirm and encourage religious vocations in the archdiocese. We invite everyone to participate in this mission by active membership in Serra and ask for their prayerful support of this important endeavor.”

The objectives of Serra International are:

1. To foster and promote vocations to the ministerial priesthood in the Catholic Church as a particular vocation to service, and to support priests in their sacred ministry;

2. To encourage and affirm vocations to consecrated religious life in the Catholic Church; and

3. To assist its members to recognize and respond in their own lives to God's call to holiness in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

Serra Prayer for Vocations

O God, Who wills not the death of a sinner,
but rather that he be converted and live,
grant, we beseech You,
through the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
Saint Joseph, her spouse,
Blessed Junipero Serra
and all the saints,
an increase of laborers for Your Church,
fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls
through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever. Amen.

Please visit the Serra Boston Club website at www.serraboston.org. Click on “Links” to visit related sites such as Serra International, Serra Council USA and for additional information on Blessed Junipero Serra.

About the Archdiocese of Boston

The Archdiocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of approximately 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 295 parishes, across 144 communities, educating nearly 50,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156, 000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of more than one million patients annually in its hospitals and 200,000 individuals through its social service outreach. Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information please visit www.rcab.org.

Copyright © 2004-2008 Archdiocese of Boston; all rights reserved