Serra GB National Conference
The Serra Great Britain AGM will be held on Sunday 6thOctober 2024
Following the success of our conference in October ’23. which was held virtually on the Zoom platform, we have decided to hold our 2024 conference using the same virtual platform.This seems to be the most appealing way to join in our conference and Annual General Meeting eliminating the need for travel by our members from north and south of the border.
Our conference will therefore take place as planned on Sunday October 6th at 2.00pm. Preparations have now started to ensure that the meeting of our Serra GB members will be of great interest and of value in our work in promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.
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.
Liverpool Serra
Our Liverpool Serra Club, the first Serra club in Europe, celebrated their 65th annual Mass for deceased Serrans, held at the Cenacle Convent Liverpool. The event was well attended by Serrans, with sisters from the Cenacle convent and friends and relations.
The celebrant Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP . who is very supportive of our apostolate noted during his homily that he has celebrated this Serra memorial Mass for over ten years running and that he always enjoyed coming to this particular Serra event.
After Mass we all enjoyed a social evening and buffet supper during which Sr Lynne FcJ, our vocations director, gave us her reflections on the value of praying for vocations.
Serra International Conventions
Dr Moria McQueen
President Serra International
Dr Moira McQueen was a lawyer before becoming Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. She teaches moral theology at St Michael’s in the University of Toronto and is a member of the Vatican’s International Theological Commission. Moira and husband Matthew have seven children and eleven grandchildren. President McQueen gave her opening address at the
New Orleans Convention highlighting her Strategic Plans for the Serra world.
New Orleans, was the perfect destination for an unforgettable convention. Serrans from all over the world including our own president of Serra Great Britain Immersed themselves in the rich Catholic heritage of the city, exploring the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral, strolling the renowned French Quarter,and savouring delicious Cajun cuisine while connecting with Serrans from around the world.
Next year, our Serra International Convention will be held in Kansas City Missouri. More details will follow soon.
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 vocations message on Good Shepherd Sunday, our vigils take on national and international importance, with vigils being held around the world. Vigils for Vocations are also held at various times and dioceses, with Mass, reflections, Eucharistic Adoration, speakers, seminarians and finishing with
Benediction and Night prayer. Contact your local Serra club for more information.
Schools Events:
Our senior schools, 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 and pray that we are planting the seeds for the Lord's call.
Serra International Rosary for Vocations:
Serrans from around the world are invited to join our monthly international Rosary which started in 2017 and continues on the last Saturday of each 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