About our Serra Club

The Serra Club of Saginaw was established June 20, 1951. The Serra Club works closely with the
diocesan office of vocations.

Our Mission

Our mission is to foster and affirm vocations to the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life in
the United States and, through this ministry, our members' common Catholic faith

The USA Council of Serra International is the ultimate online source for all your Serra club and
vocation needs..You are invited to visit and visit often so that you are able to browse all of the
valuable information provided here in support of your mission and ministry to foster and promote
vocations through prayer, awareness, affirmation and support.

The Objectives and Purpose of Serra International are:
  • To foster and promote vocations to the ministerial priesthood in the Catholic Church as a
    particular vocation to service, and to support priests in their sacred ministry;
  • To encourage and affirm vocations to consecrated religious life in the Catholic Church, and
  • To assist its members to recognize and respond in their own lives to God's call to holiness
    in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

About Vocation Ministry

Since 1935, Serra International has responded to this challenge through the first of its two
objectives, fostering Church vocations. Through the years, Serra has supported the ministry of its
members to call out and affirm dynamic men and women as they share their ministry in the
service of the Church. Serrans' particular ministry focuses on promoting vocations to the
ministerial priesthood and religious life. We know that men and women of all ages are seeking the
opportunity to serve God and their neighbor. Serrans, through their prayers and vocation activities,
invite these men and women to explore their call to service in the Church.

To engage in those projects and programs that will prepare Serra clubs and parishes to assist
their bishops and vocation directors in carrying out their vocation ministry in the diocese and
parishes.

To continue to develop and distribute new manuals and promotional videos dealing with such
topics as: affirmation of vowed religious, ordained priests, Life Awareness retreats, parish
vocation committees, vocations in minority communities, programs for youth groups, and training
in the use of the Ministry Potential Discerner.

Key Areas of Emphasis

  • Prayer
  • Awareness
  • Affirmation
  • Support

Serra Prayers

Prayer for Vocations

O God, Who wills not the death of a sinner - but rather that he be converted and live - grant that we
beseech you - through the intercessions of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin - Saint Joseph, her
spouse - Blessed Junipero Serra - and all the saints - an increase of laborers with Christ to spend
and consume themselves for souls - through the same Jesus Christ - Your Son - Who lives and
reigns with You - in the unity of the Holy Spirit - God forever and ever, Amen.

Prayer for the Perseverance of Vocations

O God, You have constituted Your only begotten Son supreme and eternal Priest for the glory of
Your majesty and the salvation of mankind:  grant that those whom He has chosen ministers and
dispensers of His mysteries may be found faithful in fulfilling the ministry they have received.

Prayer for Priests

Divine Savior Jesus Christ, who has entrusted the work of your redemption, the welfare, and
salvation of the world to priests as your representatives, through the hands of your most holy
Mother and for the sanctification of your priests and candidates for the priesthood, I offer you this
present day wholly and entirely, with all its prayers, works, joys, sacrifices, and sorrows. Give us
truly hold priests who, inflamed with the fire of your divine love, seek nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.

And you, Mary, good Mother of priests, protect all priests in the dangers of their holy vocation and,
with the loving hand of a mother, also lead back to the Good Shepherd those poor priests who have
become unfaithful to their exalted vocation and have gone astray. Amen.

See a PowerPoint presentation called "Serra or Sierra."  Click
here.

Current Board of Directors

    President:  Cyril Schultz
    Past President:  Jean Seman
    Vice President:  
    Secretary:  Ray Kelmurray
    Treasurer:  Dave Beyerlein
    Vice President for Programs:  Sr. Margo Tafoya
    Vice President for Vocations:  Rick Ortiz, M.D.
    Vice President for Communications:  Ray Bartels
    Vice President for Membership:  Rick Lorentzen
    Trustees:  John and Marian Moll
    Chaplain:  Fr. Nick Coffaro
About Us
"Where Vocations are Fostered"
The Serra Club of Saginaw
Established June 20, 1951