Serra Club a growing interest in diocese

by Fr. Todd Petersen

Director of Vocations

For the last year, there has been an organized effort to re-form a Serra Club in the Diocese of New Ulm. (Some years ago, there was a New Ulm Serra Club that disbanded, though the Mankato Serra Club has members from North Mankato in addition to the members who are from Mankato and the surrounding area of the Diocese of Winona.)

The group has slowly grown from a few individuals to now over 25 committed and registered members, enough to begin the process to charter the club with Serra International, which is the parent organization. This club-in-formation has been gathering monthly for prayer, Mass, and a program. The programs have included local priests or religious sharing their vocation story, Marie Schmitz sharing her missionary work in China, Stephanie Percic sharing her experiences in Medjugorje, and a presentation on the mission and history of Serra International. The gatherings have been at 7 p.m. the first Thursday evening of the month at Divine Providence Care Center in Sleepy Eye. The next scheduled meetings are March 10 and April 7. The program topics are yet to be announced.

The mission of Serra Clubs is three-fold: To support vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life, to promote those vocations, and to grow in the lay vocation as a Serra member through prayer, study, outreach, and social activity. Involvement in Serra International challenges its members to live up to their baptismal call as Catholics.

The first Serra Club was formed in 1934 in Seattle, Wash. Today there are more than 800 clubs in 36 countries including more than 20,000 members. There are currently 15 clubs in Minnesota.

For more information contact Club President Arnolda Fischer at Lake Villa Maria (507) 794-5333, or Fr. Todd Petersen, (507) 794-6974; email: ToddPetersen@mac.com.