Serra

Serra is a volunteer organization of Catholic men and women of various ages, races and backgrounds. There are 768 clubs with more than 23,548 Serrans in 36 countries around the world. Serrans take their name from Franciscan missionary Blessed Junípero Serra, well known as the 18th Century founder of a string of California missions. In 1934, four Catholic laymen in Seattle, Washington, decided to meet in fellowship to grow in their faith through programs of Catholic education and contribute to the mission of the church. They chose the support of seminarians as their special project. Their original purpose was "to assist in the education of young men to the priesthood". While financial support of seminarians loomed large in 1930's, since then many additional needs have emerged. Serra's purposes have evolved over the years in response to the changing times and needs of the Church, especially in light of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. Responding to Christ's call to "pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest"(Matt. 9:38), Serra has made the encouragement of Church vocations its hallmark. Since its founding, Serra has worked closely with the bishops in building the Church. In fact, each club is formed only after it has received support from the local bishop. Serrans are constantly encouraged by the bishops, in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, to express their opinions on things which "concern the good of the Church."

Preach the gospel at all times - if necessary, use words
St. Francis of Assisi

Serra Minneapolis History

Genesis of the Minneapolis Serra Club

If one has ever sought to establish his family tree, he has often wished he had been able to question his great grandfather and others who were his antecedents. Too soon they are gone and with them reams of history. So it is with Minneapolis Serra, as we discover that all of our founding fathers are gone and with them much of our early history.

No record seems to exist with Serra International as to the original charter members of the Minneapolis Serra Club. Suffice it to say, the Club was issued its official charter on April 28, 1939. The first President was Edward W. Stewart, and first Chaplain was Very Reverend John J. Cullinan. Other Serrans active at the time of the chartering were Joseph A. Boulay, Leo J. Carlin, Alex G. Huhn, Elwin E. Hadlick, Thomas Moore, Sr., J. Norbert O'Rourke, Lawrence M. Rocheford, and R. F. Sheehan, Sr.

The second chaplain to the Minneapolis Serra Club was the Most Reverend James L. Connolly, who later became the Bishop of Fall River, MA.

In 1945 Monsignor Donald J. Gormley became chaplain of Minneapolis Serra and continued in this capacity for some 25 years. Monsignor Gormley was most dedicated to Serra. Each year the Minneapolis Serra club sponsored a vocation essay contest. Hundreds of entries were received each year and Monsignor Gormley would personally read each essay and make awards to the boy and girl submitting the outstanding essays. At this time an altar boy award program was also established as was a speaker's bureau. Monsignor Gormley was very active in Serra International and was not known to miss an annual convention during his entire era as chaplain of the Minneapolis club. When the international convention was held in Minneapolis, he personally arranged for over 100 altars to be set up at the Radisson Hotel so each priest could celebrate Mass during the convention.

The 1960 International Serra Convention, which was held in Minneapolis, was considered the best attended convention of Serra International up to that time. Eugene McCahill acted as chairman and did a most outstanding job. He insisted that the chairmen of the Serra events attend the prior convention in Dallas so that they would be aware of the responsibility that they were to assume.

In 1963 the Minneapolis Serra Club had a membership of 165 which was 15 over its charter allowance. It was at that time decided to form the South Suburban Minneapolis Club. With the outstanding cooperation of Father Francis Hayes and Milt Brecke, the Minneapolis Suburban Club was chartered by Serra on April 28, 1964. It was one of the largest groups to be chartered by Serra at one time.

Over the years the Minneapolis Serra Club has sponsored many programs aimed at the fostering of religious vocations for the priesthood, brotherhood, and sisterhood. One of the outstanding events was the vocation fair held at the Minneapolis armory. Some 70 different religious orders of priests, nuns and brothers had booths at the armory.

The members of the Minneapolis Serra Club are a most prayerful and dedicated group of Catholic men and women. The monthly meetings, with dynamic speakers and excellent spiritual reflection by our Chaplain, Fr. Ben Omusee, have always been a source of inspiration and spiritual growth. Currently, the Minneapolis Serra Club has pledged its support to Archbishop Harry Flynn in his evolving program for the fostering of vocations by the establishing of Parish Vocation programs, as well as Vocation Gatherings at the Basilica, Saint Olaf, Saint Lawrence, and De La Salle High School.

By Bob Speeter

Junipero Serra

Also known as

Miguel Jose Serra; Apostle of California

Memorial

1, July

Profile

Entered the Franciscan University at Palma at age 15, and joined the Order at age 17, taking the name Junipero after the friend of Saint Francis. Ordained in 1737, and taught philosophy and theology at the Lullian University.

In 1749, Serra was sent to the missionary territories of the west of North America. A mosquito bite he received early in his trip to the New World left one leg swollen; this and his asthma made walking a painful process for the rest of his life. In 1768 he took over missions the Jesuits were forced to abandon in the Mexican provinces of Lower and Upper California by order of King Charles III. A tireless worker, Serra was largely responsible for the foundation and spread of the Church on the West Coast of the United States. Fr. Serra founded 21 missions, converted thousands of Native Americans, and trained many of them in European methods of agriculture, cattle husbandry, and crafts. He was a dedicated religious missionary, penitent and austere in all areas of his life.

Blessed Junipero Serra is the namesake of the Serra Club, an international Catholic organization dedicated to the promotion of vocations, among other things. Many of his letter and other writings have survived, and the diary of his travels to the west was published in the early 20th century.

Born

24 November 1713 at Petra, Spanish Majorica as Miguel Jose Serra

Died 28 August 1784 of tuberculosis at Mission San Carlos Beatified 25 September 1988 by Pope John Paul II Canonized Pending
	Junipero Serra's Burial Site at Mission St. Carlos

Name Meaning

jester of God (=Junipero)

(taken from http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj44.htm)

Mission

To foster and promote vocations to the ministerial priesthood of the Catholic Church as a particular vocation to service and to develop an appreciation for the ministerial priesthood and of all religious vocations in the Catholic Church, and to further Catholicism by encouraging its members, in fellowship, through education, to fulfill their Christian vocations to service.

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