Serra Club of Savannah
Serra Club Activities
MEETINGS/SPEAKERS
Serrans attend a monthly Mass to pray for an increase in vocations. Afterwards everyone is invited to share coffee and doughnuts prior to a meeting in which clergy and lay guest speakers cover topics of interest to the club members.HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS
The Serra Club of Savannah sponsors a regular monthly Holy Hour for Vocations to express gratitude for the new and soon to be ordained priests as well as to ask Jesus, present in the Holy Eucharist, to bless our diocese with many priestly and religious vocations. An hour spent in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the recitation of the Holy Rosary is a wonderful way to invoke The Blessed Mother's aid in asking "the Lord of the harvest to send many priestly and religious vocations for His Church. Our diocese has been truly blessed, but we must continue to pray for vocations to insure that there will to be enough priests and religious to serve the growing number of faithful in the years ahead.31 CLUB
A proven parish vocation program. At least 31 people sign up to attend one extra Mass on the same day each month throughout the year, hence the name. They offer that Mass for an increase in vocations and also pray for past, present, and future priests, religious sisters, brothers, and deacons. If you miss your chosen date, the nearest convenient date is fine. The membership lasts for three years and members are asked to rejoin at that time. The 31 Club gives parishioners a unique opportunity not only to attend an extra Mass and receive Communion each month, but also dedicate each thought word and deed of the day for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.ELIJAH CUP
The Elijah Cup, a consecrated chalice, is provided as a focal point for prayer. Each week at Sunday Mass the celebrant will use the chalice designated as the Elijah Cup. After purifying the chalice at the end of Communion, he calls a family, individual, or couple forward to receive the Elijah Cup. They will take the cup home putting it in a place of honor. Each day for a week during prayer (morning, bedtime or at meals), they will pray for an increase and perseverance of vocations. The following Sunday they will return the cup with the gifts at the Offertory. A diary also travels with the Elijah Cup. Each week the family, individual, or couple that has the cup enters a thought, prayer, or scripture verse. Over time, this diary becomes a prayer journal of the parish.VOCATION ESSAY CONTEST
The Serra Club of Savannah works to create an environment conducive to vocations in the Diocese. As part of that effort, they sponsor a Vocation Essay Contest annually. All of us must follow the example of Christ and serve the needs of others. The earlier young people become aware of the possibility of a religious vacation, the better are their chances of exploring it as a life commitment. We try to increase this awareness by challenging the students in the 7th grades of the deanery parochial schools and the CDD programs are invited to write a 300 word essay on "What is a Vocation". First place winners from both sets will receive a prize, a certificate of achievement awarded by the Serra Club, and have their essay published in the Southern Cross. The important aspect of this program is to get as many students as possible to think about their relationship with God and how a religious vocation can enrich that relationship. As many as 120 students have participated in the contest.VOCATION RETREATS
Serrans regularly volunteer to cook and serve the meals at Vocations Retreats. Over the years, we have done this as numerous young men have spent three days in prayer and mediation, considering whether they had received a call to ministry. This has become a regular project for the club, which gives us an opportunity to meet some of the young men who are considering becoming priests. It is always a very rewarding experience to all who volunteered. Serrans actually feel it is a privilege to see these fine young men considering their call from the Lord.CHRISTMAS CARDS
The Serra Club of Savannah sends Christmas Cards to all priests, religious, and seminarians in the Diocese of Savannah as their annual Christmas Affirmation Project. When faced with the prospect of a having a Christmas party or this project, we decided to do something to say thank you to all the priests and religious in the Diocese of Savannah who have served the people faithfully.OTHER ACTIVITIES
Seminarian Pen Pals ProgramSisters Appreciation Lunch
Vocation Video Project
Vocation Scholarship
Ordination Receptions
Seminarians Luncheon