Parish Ministry Name:  St. Serra Club Mission of Kansas City North

Coordinator’s Name:  Sandy Sutton

Coordinator’s Contact Info (Phone & email):

      Sandy Sutton (816) 718-4824      [email protected]

Ministry Description:   The St. Serra Club of Kansas City North is a non-profit, charitable organization composed of members from parishes in Clay, Jackson and Platte Counties.  It is one of four Serra Clubs in the KCSJ Diocese and works in concert with the Diocesan Vocation Office.

Brief History of Group:  Chartered in 2004, we have over 40 members and Friends of Serra.  Serra International was formed in 1934 and focuses on encouraging vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  Today there are more than 800 Serra Clubs in 37 Countries.

Usual Meeting Date and Time:  Third Thursday of the month at St. Andrew.  Starts with Mass at 6pm, followed by dinner ($10) at 6:30pm, speaker at 7pm, and ends with short business meeting.

Activities:

* Monthly Dinner Meeting:  Mass at  6 p.m, followed by dinner with an invited speaker. 

* February Valentine Mass and Dinner:  Saturday near Valentine’s Day, members & spouses are invited to a special Mass and dinner (with entertainment or speaker) sponsored by the Southeast KC Serra Club.

* May Blisters for Sisters:    Serra Clubs of Missouri and Kansas sponsor a walk-a-thon and lunch with proceeds going to the ministries of religious orders in the area.

* May-June Ordination for Priesthood, Transitional Diaconate and Permanent Diaconate:   All Members and Friends of Serra are invited to attend these ordinations to show appreciation for priest and deacon dedication to our Catholic community.

* May-June Ordination Gifts:  All Serra Clubs, Members and Friends of Serra are asked to give a new priest a monetary gift to help with expenses associated with their new life of serving our faithful.

* June Pitching for Priests:  Seminarian/Priest baseball game between the Diocese of KCSJ and the Archdiocese of KCK is held at T-Bone Stadium, preceded by tailgating.

* June Summer Youth Camps:   

• 6th to 8th grade boys -  Companion Camp at Conception Seminary
• High School Boys  - Bishop’s Retreat  at Franciscan Prayer Center
• 6th to 8th grade girls  -  Leadership Camp St. Mary’s Leavenworth, Benedictine Atchison, or Franciscan Spirit Olympics

* July Cookout:    (St. Therese Parish, Parkville, MO).  Special cookout for Seminarians and their families, Northland Priests, Vocation Office staff, Friends and Members of Serra.  Gift Card drawings for the Seminarians.

* August Picnic for Sisters: Held at the home of a Serran, offers the sisters a time to meet with sisters that they only see annually.  

* August Lake Retreat for Seminarians:  The Bishop, Serran men, and Seminarians are invited to a prayerful lake retreat.

* September Golf Appreciation Day (C.O.R.E.):  Priests and Seminarians are treated to a day of golf, card games, fellowship  and a barbecue dinner.

* Sisters’ Jubilee:  Annually Serra Club members attend Mass and luncheon to celebrate sisters’ milestones.

* Annual Mass and Lunch with the Bishop

* October Priesthood Sunday:  Priests are honored for their service.

* Christmas Mass with the Bishop:  Seminarians and their families are thanked by Serra Clubs with a Mass and Dinner as well as a monetary gift to the Seminarians. 

* 31 Club:   A program in which a person chooses one day of the months to attend Mass and pray for all priests, for men and women religious who have and continue to serve, and for future vocations.

* Annual 5th grade Vocation Days:  held at one of the diocesan high schools.  The Bishop and clergy at this event which fosters positive attitudes toward vocations.  Serrans serve breakfast and lunch and assist with event activities. 

* Called by Name:   National parish-based program: 1) to raise consciousness of Catholics to foster vocations; 2) to surface the names of individuals who may possess qualities necessary for a vocation.

* Catholic Scouting:  Serrans assist the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting in its program of religious formation in Catholic Scouting units by serving as Religious Emblem Counselors, assisting with the Catholic Scout Retreat, and supporting visits to Conception Seminary for Scouts and Scout Leaders.

* College Connection Program:  A system whereby graduating high school seniors are contacted to introduce them to Catholic facilities at the college of their choice. 

* Treats for Seminarians:   During mid-term and finals, Serra Club provides treats while Seminarians focus on their studies. 

* Retired Priests Luncheon:  Three times per year, Serrans gather our retired priests to enjoy a meal together.

* Write a Seminarian:  Each Serran adopts a Seminarian and corresponds with him on a monthly basis. 



Volunteer Needs:  

* Treats for the Seminarians

* Volunteers to pick a  day of the month to attend Mass and pray for vocations (31 Club)

Personal Testimonies:  

"Serra Club has been such a blessing in our lives!  We absolutely love getting to meet all of the seminarians, growing in friendship with them, and most of all, we cherish praying for them.  We also love that Serra Club provides us with so many fun and heartwarming ways to show our appreciation to ordained priests, as well as religious sisters and brothers.  The fellowship with other Serrans and the deepening of our own prayer lives are other wonderful aspects of our involvement with Serra." 
Tess & Justin Hackney