Serra GB National Conference
The Serra Great Britain AGM was held on Sunday 1st October 2023
Our annual Serra GB council meeting changed this year. Normally held at a central location for our members from north and south of the border, this year was held using the Zoom platform thus eliminating the costs of travel and accommodation. Our National chaplain Fr Tony Cogliolo offered Sunday morning mass and intentions for the success of our meeting and indeed for our work in promoting vocations throughout Great Britain.
Following on from last year we can report that our membership from some areas had fallen but had increased with new members in the north and south of the country. Importantly our vocations activities, considering our small numbers returned to a precovid level albeit with some modifications reflecting the national changes particularly in our School events. From our many vocations programmes, Vigils, Holy hours and Rosary for vocations continue to be favourite events. Communications via our focus newsletter and this website showed an increase in the number of people enjoying our resources, using our various vocations programmes within their homes and parishes. We can be optimistic but never complacent in our efforts to support our bishops and vocations directors. Our foundation continues to support our vocations initiatives.
Our Serra GB board and slate of officers were agreed by unanimous vote and will continue as last year. Considering this change to virtual, we would think that there is still a need to meet physically but also enjoyed seeing more faces than would be possible with travel.
Our AGM of 2024 will take place on Sunday 6th October by a physical gathering or zoom?
National conferences often have themes "Christus Vivit, young people are the now." being one of our recent themes and so important when we try to encourage our young adults to be more involved and enjoy their faith.Over the years Serra districts have had the opportunity of organising our conferences and have invited guest speakers from bishops, politicians, religious orders and many others to speak on their particular charism.
A recent and indeed a most inspiring presentation was given by our keynote speaker Fr Eamonn Mulcahy C.S.Sp. (Spiritan Fathers) who guided us through the Holy Father's apostolic exhortation "Christus vivit." Fr David Pember from the "Just Youth Volunteers" also of the Spiritan Fathers, introduced us to the young volunteer speakers who go forward to seminary or novitiate to become priests or religious, but mainly work in promoting our faith among young people.
We sincerely thank all those who have supported us as speakers and contributors to our conferences.
A Celebration
On Thursday 4th May 2023, on the feast of The English Martyrs, The Most Reverend Malcolm Mc Mahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool concelebrated the Eucharist together with Fr Ron Johnson our Vocations director. Joining us were the Sisters of Our Lady of the Cenacle and Liverpool Serrans. The event noted the 66th anniversary of our founding and in memory of all our deceased Serrans. During a moving homily the Archbishop wove together the story of the English martyrs with the reading from Acts describing the stoning of St Stephen. He related these to the sacrifices of all deceased Serrans in their dedication to the cause of vocations. The well attended gathering was followed by a very pleasant evening of food and good chatter. Among our guests was Sr Lynne FCJ vocations director of her order who enjoyed her introduction to Serra and anticipated further contact. This annual event is undoubtedly the highlight of our Liverpool Serran Calendar.
Serra International Conventions
Elected President Kurt Metyko being presented with his pin by past president Greg Schwietz.
You can watch the video replay of Serra's 80th International Convention in Chiang Mai by visiting this... playlist,
featuring 5 Keynote speakers, 3 masses, the global rosary, and inspiring young Serrans.
All above were possible with the generous support of LiCAS News, the Catholic news agency for the Church in Asia.
Join us for Serra’s 81st International Convention,
New Orleans, 8th- 11th August ’24
New Orleans, the perfect destination for an unforgettable convention.
Immerse yourself in the rich Catholic heritage of the city,
explore the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral, stroll the renowned French Quarter,
and savour delicious Cajun cuisine while connecting with Serrans from around the world!
Make your reservation here
Serra GB focus Newsletter
The Serra GB focus newsletter, issued quarterly, contains information about our apostolate, vocations stories, articles relating to our liturgical calendar and news items from home and abroad. The Focus newsletter reflects the core mission of Serra, to promote priestly and consecrated religious vocations and assist our members and friends in knowledge and understanding of our faith. Should you wish to view previous issues, enter Serra GB focus on your browser and select the month from the dropdown list or contact the Secretary. The Serra GB focus is distributed to our members, associates, friends of Serra and those interested in our vocations apostolate.
Current Events:
Vigils for Vocations:
Around the time of the Holy Father's vocation messages on Good Shepherd Sunday, our Vigils take on national and international importance with vigils being held around the country. Vigils for Vocations are held in various parishes throughout the country, with Mass, reflections, Eucharistic Adoration, speakers, seminarians and finishing with Benediction and Night Prayer.
Contact your local Serra club for more information.
Schools events:
It is now possible to join our school partners and return to our senior school events.
Our senior schools events, with students from 4th-6th years, attract some 500-600 students viewing our religious and diocesan exhibitions for priesthood and consecrated life, followed by discussion groups and concluding with a concelebrated vocations mass. School events are very popular with staff and chaplains. We hope we are planting the seeds for the Lord's call.
Serra International Rosary for Vocations:
Serrans from around the world are invited to join in our monthly international Rosary which started in 2017 and continues on the last Saturday of every month. To join the Rosary free of charge from your computer, tablet or smart phone here:
Rosary for Vocations:
You can download a Rosary for vocations with intentions... here: for you or your Rosary group. You may use intercessions from our resources page under Holy Hours .
61st World day of prayer for Vocations, April 21st 2024
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is the day when the Church celebrates the World day of Prayer for Vocations. Each year, the Holy Father invites us to reflect on the precious gift of the Lord’s call to each of us, as members of his faithful pilgrim people, to participate in his loving plan and to embody the beauty of the Gospel in different states of life. Pope Francis in his message for the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations on the theme "Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace" asks us to be pilgrims and builders of peace, that, means to base our lives on the rock of Christ’s resurrection, knowing that every effort made in the vocation that we have embraced and seek to live out, will never be in vain. Read the Holy Father's message for this World day of prayer for vocations.... here