THE SERRA CLUB OF
EAST JEFFERSON

CHARTER NUMBER 583 | DISTRICT 11 | REGION 5

Welcome!

The Serra Club of East Jefferson welcomes you and invites you to learn more about joining in our mission and ministry.

Serra International is a global organization of lay Catholic men and women whose objectives are: to encourage 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; to encourage and affirm vocations to consecrated religious life in the Catholic Church; and 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.

The USA Council of Serra International invites you to visit their website to learn about missions and ministries to foster vocations in the Catholic Church: www.serraus.org

Our Mission and Vision

Our vision is to have all people respond to God’s call to their religious vocation.

Our mission is to foster, affirm and promote vocations to ministry in the Catholic Church

About Us

The East Jefferson Serra Club is an active group supporting Vocations and the Priests and Clergy of the New Orleans Archdiocese.

Through the years, our Club has led or participated in many worthy projects, including the formation of several other Serra Clubs, hosting an International Serra Convention, sponsoring local conventions, and working with the local seminaries and the Archdiocesan Vocations Office.

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History

In 1935, four Catholic men in Seattle, Washington, interested in promoting vocations to the priesthood and enhancing their spiritual lives, formed a club. They chose Saint Junipero Serra, the noted 18th Century Franciscan missionary and founder of many California missions, as their patron and namesake. This small group eventually grew into Serra International.

The formation of the East Jefferson Serra Club began in 1983, through the efforts of the New Orleans Serra Club, whose members saw the potential for expanding the Serran mission across the New Orleans metropolitan area.

This led to the organization of twenty seven (27) Catholic men from various East Jefferson church parishes, who were chosen for their devotion to the Catholic Church and their commitment and efforts at the parish church level.

Archbishop Francis B. Schulte approved the proposal to form the local club. Upon receipt of the Charter from Serra International, the first official function was a Charter Luncheon held at Etienne’s Restaurant in Metairie, Louisiana, on January 13, 1984.

The first president of the East Jefferson Serra Club was Dr. James M. Linn, Jr., and the first Club Chaplain was the Reverend James Lohan. Meetings were held at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Metairie, Louisiana, Father Lohan’s parish at the time. The presiding District Governor for the establishment of the Club was Mr. Roy Alberts.

Father Lohan was moved to St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in 1993, at which time the Club moved its meetings to St. Catherine and remained there until 2000, when Monsignor Robert D. Massett became Club Chaplain. Meetings were then moved to “Father Bob’s” parish, St. Mary Magdalen on Metairie Avenue, where they continue to be held.

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Meetings

Our Serra Club meets as listed below. We would enjoy the opportunity to have you join us to experience firsthand the work of Serra. Please contact our V. P. of Membership at the following email address: serraejeff@yahoo.com.

Serra Club Meeting #1: 2nd Wednesday
Mass - 6:30 AM
St. Mary Magdalen Church, 6425 W Metairie Ave
Meeting - 7:00 AM
St Mary Magdalen Rectory, Coffee and Doughnuts

Serra Club Meeting #2: 4th Wednesday 
Club Speaker Luncheon - 11:30 AM
Howard Johnson’s Quality Hotel, 2551 Causeway Blvd (at I-10)
(Our speakers discuss a variety of topics regarding vocations and/or current issues in the Catholic Church. )

Serra Club Meeting #3: 1st Wednesday
Serra Club Officers and Trustees Meeting - 7:00 AM
Location as arranged (meeting is open to all members)

Annual Regional, National, and International Conventions are variously scheduled and members are notified well in advance.

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Activities

Prayer for Priests Adoration Program

Individual members offer a monthly spiritual gift of one hour of Eucharistic Adoration and Recognition of an Archdiocesan Priest on his birthday.

Archdiocesan Annual Altar Servers Awards Dinner

An Altar Server from each parish is recognized and thanked for their service to the Catholic Church.

Spring and Fall Cookouts (or crawfish boils)

Seminarians are treated to cookouts or crawfish boils at St. Joseph Seminary, St. Benedict, Louisiana ( close to Covington, Louisiana). Seminarians are treated to cookouts or crawfish boils at Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Annual Archbishop’s Priest Appreciation Dinner

This dinner (usually a cookout) is hosted by East Jefferson Serrans in Covington, Louisiana.

Annual Religious Clergy Appreciation Dinner

This dinner is held for the Religious Sisters and Brothers of the Archdiocese.

Archdiocesan Vocation Office Events

The East Jefferson Serrans support and participate in various events for the Vocation Office.

Special Day of Reflection

This is an annual affair for members and their wives.

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Membership

Make a World of Difference!

The East Jefferson Serra Club is open to Laymen and/or permanent deacons who are active Catholics, belong to a church parish, and have an interest in promoting vocations and supporting those in religious life.

Most of the East Jefferson Serrans come from Metairie or East Jefferson Church Parishes; however, we do have a number of active members from Orleans Church Parishes as well. Residence in East Jefferson Parish is not required for membership.

Prospective Serrans complete an application for membership, accompanied by a recommendation from a Serra member and/or a letter from their priest stating that they are a parish member in good standing.

Members are welcome from other Catholic clubs or groups, such as the Knights of Columbus, the St. Vincent DePaul Knights of Malta, etc…

Serra members are encouraged to participate in the meetings, luncheons, and outside functions held by the Club.

Member Benefits

Association with goal-driven, dedicated, practicing Catholic men and women

Improvement of your personal prayer life and knowledge of our faith

Opportunity to make a statement (as a group) in support of our priests and religious

Opportunity to provide an example to our children and grandchildren of the continuing need to invite, pray for, and support men and women to consider a vocation

Membership dues are $250/year, paid quarterly, which covers the cost of all twelve breakfast meetings, ten speaker luncheon meetings, the annual Day of Reflection and luncheon, the Christmas luncheon, and a subscription to the Serra Magazine. There are no initiation fees. The first quarter dues should be included with the application.

How to Join

The path to membership is easy and comfortable, paced to give you time to consider its benefits. Once you have contacted us, we will invite to our next guest day and introduce you to our Serra club.

Contact Us

V. P. Membership: serraejeff@yahoo.com

 

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