Serra Club marks 70th

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

LEOMINSTER – Good news and recognitions graced the evening as the Serra Club of Northern Worcester County, which promotes vocations, held its 70th anniversary/priest appreciation celebration on Oct. 7.
Bishop McManus celebrated Mass for about 30 people in St. Leo Church, and other priests concelebrated. Msgr. John E. Doran, chaplain, preached about the day’s feast – Our Lady of the Rosary – and how praying the rosary has historically been educational and powerful.
At the dinner afterwards at Doubletree by Hilton, the North County Serrans received good news – the diocese has five new applicants for priestly formation and Bishop McManus is to ordain seven men to the priesthood next June.
The Serrans said prayers for more vocations and for priests to persevere in their vocations. They gave Bishop McManus money they’d raised for vocations ministry and presented certificates to priests who supervise seminarians.
They are also supporting the Oct. 28 Celebrate Priesthood! gala to raise money for retired priests’ care, Robert DeBettencourt, treasurer, told The Catholic Free Press later.
“The mission of Serra Worcester North is to foster and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life,” explained the Serrans’ program booklet. The organization aims “to further Catholicism by encouraging its members, in fellowship and through education, to fulfill their vocations to Christian service.”
The booklet notes that the first Serra Club was formed in 1935 in Seattle, Washington. Franciscan Father Junipero Serra, who founded California missions in the 18th century and was canonized in 2015, was chosen as patron. Now there are 700 clubs in 40 countries, each club belonging to Serra International.
John Shannon, Worcester North’s president, read citations from Serra International and the regional leader from Serra U.S. recognizing the club’s anniversary and Judge Edward J. Reynolds, a trustee, and the longest serving member – with 54 years.
In January 1951 Bishop John J. Wright asked laity to form two Serra clubs in the Worcester Diocese, according to the booklet. Serra North was formed on Jan. 24, 1951, and Serra Club of Southern Worcester County was formed on Oct. 15, 1954.
“I’m celebrating my 70th birthday with Serra” this year, Bishop McManus said, and thanked the Serrans for their support and prayers for vocations.
“I can … remember my dad, Jim Reynolds, talking about the foundation” that Bishop Wright requested, said the judge, who, like his father, once served as president of Serra North. Judge Reynolds also served as district governor, overseeing Serra clubs in the New England region, and as a trustee on the international board.
He recalled conventions and trips that he got to participate in because he was part of the Serra Club, even reading at a Mass Pope John Paul II celebrated and seeing Pope Francis canonize Father Serra.
“In 1986 the Holy Spirit brought a terrific situation to Serra and to our club,” he said. “Women were permitted to be members. ...
“We need to continue our work for vocations. … I’m hoping that the Serra Club of Worcester North has another 70 years.”

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CELEBRATE PRIESTHOOD!

Interest in honoring specific priests through the annual Celebrate Priesthood! gala has increased this year, according to organizer Michael P. Gillespie, director of the diocesan Stewardship and Development Office.
As in previous years, people buying a $100 ticket to attend the Oct. 28 fundraiser can choose to have a favorite priest’s name listed in the commemorative book, which will be available at the event, he said.
Those who can’t attend can also have their chosen priest’s name listed, and receive the book by mail, for a $100 donation.
Donors can submit the priests’ names on the website worcesterdiocese.org/celebrate-priesthood or call Mr. Gillespie at 508-929-4368. Tickets can be purchased and other donations can made by credit card or direct debit on the website or by calling Mr. Gillespie.
The money is to help fund retired priests’ care. As of Wednesday, $155,0258 had been raised with sponsors, advertisers and one-time gifts, Mr. Gillespie said.
Mr. Gillespie said there have been requests to honor living and deceased priests, with a number of people remembering Father Dennis J. O’Brien, diocesan minister to priests, who died unexpectedly on July 17. His funeral Mass at St. Mary Church in Uxbridge was standing room only.       
“We cannot let a year go by without pausing to reflect on the gift of the priesthood in the lives of all Catholics,” Mr. Gillespie says on the website. For the past seven years, the diocese has hosted Celebrate Priesthood! Taste of the Diocese. (Last year it was virtual, due to the pandemic.) This year there is a new venue – Saint Paul Diocesan Junior/Senior High School, refurbished after housing Holy Name Central Catholic Junior/Senior High for years. The school is at 144 Granite St., Worcester.
The 8th annual gala is to start with a presentation honoring living and deceased priests at 5 p.m. in the Burke Auditorium. The presentation is also to be streamed live online on the website, and will be available later. From 5:30-7:30 p.m. is the tasting event, a chance to sample foods from parishes and local restaurants, in the newly refurbished gymnasium. Ticket-holders can come for all or part of the evening.
There are several ways to support the effort. Individual ticket purchasers will also receive coupons to area restaurants in the commemorative book. Sponsors get a specified number of tickets and an ad in the commemorative book. Advertisers can thank individual priests or promote their business or organization with an ad in the commemorative book.
All help support, on average, 50 retired priests “who have committed more than 2,000 years of service as a group to our spiritual wellbeing!” the website says. “For many years the cost of their care has exceeded resources by an average of $500,000. Your generous support is greatly appreciated, as the proceeds help us care for our retired priests with dignity.”

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