Serra GB National Conference, 4th-6th October 2019
Theme "Serra and vocational discernment"
By popular request our 2019 conference will be held at The Lancashire Manor Hotel,Wigan.
As our programme develops we are pleased to announce that Fr Eamonn Mulcahy C.S.Sp. will be our keynote speaker and presenter.
The Serra GB conference is an opportunity to learn more about our faith from speakers sharing their experiences either religious or lay persons especially those which demonstrate Christian principles. It is a time to enjoy our liturgical celebrations with our friends and renew friendships.
Booking forms and full programme will be available soon from our Serra clubs.
Serra International Conventions
The 77th Serra International Convention Mexico City, June 19th - 23rd , 2019
One of the world's largest cities, and the most populous in North America, Mexico City offers a wide variety of attractions, activities and experiences for all visitors to its vast expanse, with great ethnic, architectural, topographical and ecological diversity. Mexico City is home to over 100 art galleries, dozens of theatres and concert halls, and more than 150 museums -- the largest metropolitan concentration of museums in the world! These feature important works and exhibits representing Mexican history and culture; major artists from all over the world take their place alongside these. It also presents a glimpse of the long and rich history of the Mexican capital, from pre-Hispanic times and the colonial era to contemporary life
in a city that never ceases to surprise.
Our venue will be The Hilton Mexico City Reforma hotel, modern, beautiful and offering top-of-the-line services. We invite you to visit Our Lady at her shrine at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, just over 5 miles away from the hotel. As a special highlight of our convention programme,
buses will take all convention attendees to Mass at the basilica on Friday, June 21. If art and history are not really your thing, enjoy shopping or dining in exclusive areas. The opportunities for safe and exciting adventure are endless in Mexico City. The Serrans of Mexico welcome you most warmly to this enchanting part of the world! Full details here The 76th Serra International Convention of 2018
The 2018 Serra International convention at the end of June 2018 was an outstanding success with 5 prelates of the church as speakers and concelebrants at our liturgies. The introduction of our new Episcopal Advisor, His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins of Toronto was our keynote speaker expressing the need for more vocations, encouraging our apostolate to continue carrying out our necessary work and expanding our membership throughout the world. The Cardinal’s homily here . Serra international President’s inaugural speech here
Serra GB focus newsletter, April / Easter 2019 edition here
Our Newsletter is distributed to our members, associates, friends of Serra and those interested in our vocations work. Should you wish to view previous issues of the focus enter Serra GB focus on your browser and select month from the dropdown list.
Vigils for vocations:
As we approach the time for the Holy Father's vocations message on Good Shepherd Sunday,12th May, our Vigils take on national and international importance with vigils being held on or around that date. Vigils for Vocations are on going in various parishes throughout the UK, with Mass, reflections, Eucharistic Adoration, speakers, seminarians and finishing with Benediction and Night Prayer.
Contact your local Serra club for more information.
An evening with Serra Liverpool:
The Most Reverand Malcolm McMahon, OP, Archbishop of Liverpool, will celebrate Mass Thursday, June 6th at 6.30 pm for deceased Serrans in the Cenacle chapel, Lance lane, Liverpool L15 6TW . This will be followed by a buffet and social evening and all are welcome. Even though many people will not be able to attend it will be a good time to pray for all our deceased Serrans through the Country.
An evening with Serra South Herts:
It was a special evening for South Herts Serra club when Sr. Mary Joachim attended in March. Sr. Mary Joachim, who had been a sister in the congregation of Mother Teresa, runs The Mission of Hope in Ethopia and was back in her home town of Watford whilst on a sabbaical in the UK. Sr. Mary Joachim gave a most absorbing and engaging talk on her missionary work and the difficulties and dangers she faces in the area she covers Her story here: You can also view her story and photos in our April edition of Serra GB focus releasing 1st April.
Stations for vocations:
As Laity, we can never enter fully into the mystery of the life of a priest, but we may on occasion, discover a "window" through which we catch a glimpse or gain a little deeper understanding of his life as he lives it on the road to Calvary with Jesus. In writing these short meditations on the priesthood for stations for vocations we hope to offer you a "window" such as this to look through. Our booklet "Stations for Vocations" by Gerard Humphries is available from your nearest Serra Club. You can download a copy of "Stations for vocations" from Maria Regina Cleri here. As you meditate on these Stations please consider offering them for the perseverance of existing vocations and an increase in vocations for our dioceses and country.
Schools Vocations events:
Our recent senior schools events, with pupils from the 4th-6th years attracted some 500-600 pupils viewing our religious and diocesan exhibitions for priesthood and consecrated life followed by discussion groups and finishing with a concelebrated voations mass. These school events are becoming very popular with the staff and school chaplains. We hope we are planting the seeds for Lord's call. See our selection of the schools vocations event photos from 2018
Rosary for Vocations:
The last Saturday of every month, Serrans from all over the world are invited to join in a recitation of the Rosary for vocations. Our monthly international Rosary continues on Saturday 30th December and each last Saturday thereafter in 2019. To join the Rosary free of charge from your computer, tablet or smart phone, click: here
See also our April issue of Serra GB focus for Rosary with vocations intentions.
Holy Father's message for The World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 12th May 2019: here
“The courage to take a risk for God’s promise”
An extract from the Holy Father's message: ............ "And yet, there can be no greater joy than to risk one's life for the Lord! I would like to say this especially to you, the young. Do not be deaf to the Lord's call. If he calls you to follow this path, do not pull your oars into the boat, but trust him. Do not yield to fear, which paralyzes us before the great heights to which the Lord points us. Always remember that to those who leave their nets and boats behind, and follow him, the Lord promises the joy of a new life that can fill our hearts and enliven our journey."
The Holy Father's theme for 2019 marking the 56th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is "The courage to take a risk for God's promise" focusing on the fruitful experience of the Synod of last October devoted to young people. The purpose of this day is to publicly give thanks and celebrate vocations to ordained ministry and religious life in all its forms. Many parishes and religious institutes commemorate this day with prayer for vocations and vocation promotion events. 73% of women and men professing final vows participated in one or more parish activities and 88 % served in one or more parish ministries before entering religious life.
We must invite our young people to be involved in parish life and liturgical ministries as altar servers, readers, eucharistic ministers, etc in prayer and the hope that they will hear God's promise.
Consider asking parishes for opportunities, to hold vigils, to speak, pray, provide bulletin inserts, prayer cards, and conversation before and after Masses.
Our presence and participation in such activities that mark this special day is essential.
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