Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
August 16, 2000
Serra Club of Aurora chartered at Queen of Peace
By Dolores de Aragon-Young
More than 100 people witnessed the historic chartering of the first Serra Club of Aurora, July 27 at Queen of Peace Church.
Members of Serra International are dedicated to fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life through prayer, action and training of lay leadership. The organization is formally affiliated with the Pontifical Society for Priestly Vocations.
Msgr. R. Walker Nickless, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Denver, celebrated the Charter Mass and witnessed the installation of the Serra Club of Aurora Officers. Assisting at the Mass were Father William Breslin, pastor of Queen of Peace; Father Malachy McBride, O.F.M. Cap.; Father Pat Dolan, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish; and Father Rocco Porter, Paulist Father David O'Brien and Father Jeff Wilburn.
A banquet followed the Mass and installation.
There are eight Serra Clubs in District 6: Aurora, Boulder, Denver, Greeley, Pueblo, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. Meetings are held twice a month, morning, noon, or evening depending on the make up of the club.
The Aurora club meets on the first and third Thursdays at 7 p.m., beginning with Mass at Queen of Peace Parish. Lucy Kane is president of the Club and Father Porter is the chaplain.
The Serra movement was started in Seattle, Washington, on Feb. 27, 1935, by four men interested in fostering vocations and personal spiritual growth. For years, membership was limited to men, but in recent years women have been welcomed and are now among the club's most active members.
The association is named for Padre Junipero Serra. This 18th century Franciscan priest was an explorer and colonizer of California where he was the founder of the "Missions of California." He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in September, 1988.
Serra is a volunteer organization of Catholic men and women of various ages, races and backgrounds. Their mission is to foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life and to grow in their own spiritual faith journey, by being good shepherds and furthering their education in learning more about the faith and the Church. The Serra Club supports and aid the bishop and vocations office in many projects and promotions that involve seminarians, deacons, religious and priests.
Dolores de Aragon-Young is the Region 13 Director of the Serra Club. She co-chaired the District Formation Team and served as Toast Mistress for the installation of the Serra Club of Aurora. For information on membership in Serra Club, call Dolores at 303-756-8972 or E-mail at ddearagon@prodigy.net.
